Japan PM Calls Snap Election After Political Funds Scandal

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided to dissolve parliament and call a snap election. He informed his coalition government partners of his plan on Thursday. The move comes as his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faces a major political funds scandal. Several party factions are accused of failing to report millions of yen in fundraising revenue. Public support for Kishida's cabinet has fallen to record lows. The snap election is a high-risk strategy to seek a new public mandate before the scandal further damages his party. The lower house of parliament is expected to be dissolved next week. The election will likely be held in late October. Kishida's coalition remains favored to win. However, analysts predict the LDP may lose significant seats, weakening the prime minister's position.