Japan's PM calls election
Japan’s prime minister Taro Aso dissolved the powerful lower house of parliament today, setting the stage for an election next month that could transform the country’s political power structure.
In Japan, the prime minister can decide when to disband parliament and call a general election. Mr Aso had postponed doing so in the hope that his low approval ratings would recover, but after his party was routed in local elections last week he announced the elections for parliament’s lower house would be held on August 30.
