Japan PM Fumio Kishida dissolves parliament for October 31 general election

The election will pit the ruling LDP leader against unpopular opposition in a battle over who can better fix the pandemic-battered economy

Kishida’s party is promoting his vision of realising a ‘new capitalism’ that focuses on redistribution of wealth

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 12:13pm, 14 Oct 2021Updated: 9:06pm, 14 Oct 2021

Japan dissolved its parliament on Thursday, setting the stage for an election at the end of the month that will pit new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida against unpopular opposition in a battle over who can better fix the pandemic-battered economy.

Kishida enjoys reasonable public support about a week into the job, polls show, boding well for his goal of maintaining a lower house majority for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its Komeito party coalition partner.

“I want to use the election to tell the people what we’re trying to do and what we’re aiming for,” Kishida told reporters gathered at his office.

Reflecting on the last 11 days, Kishida said: “I’ve had a very busy schedule but strangely, I’m not feeling tired – I’m feeling fulfilled.”

Voters will want to see a government with plans for decisive action to end the pandemic and rebuild the economy. A recent Sankei newspaper poll showed that about 48 per cent say they want the Kishida administration to work on coronavirus most, followed by economic recovery and employment.

Kishida’s party is promoting his push for coronavirus measures including supplying oral antiviral medication this year, as well as his vision of realising a “new capitalism” that focuses on economic growth and redistribution of wealth.