TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday called a snap election, seeking a fresh term at the helm of the world's third-largest economy as tensions with nearby North Korea reach fever-pitch. "I will dissolve the House of Representatives on the 28th of September," Abe told reporters, a precursor to a general election. "Japan is facing a difficult time considering the situation in North Korea. The winner of the expected snap election faces a daunting in-tray of challenges ranging from an unprecedented crisis with North Korea to reviving the once world-beating Japanese economy. "Despite the seemingly favourable backdrop for Abe, there are risks in calling a snap election," said Yoel Sano, an analyst at BMI research.

Source: New Strait Times September 25, 2017 09:33 UTC