Japan's incoming leader calls general election as he seeks to unify party
Japan’s incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, said he will call a general election for Oct. 27 after winning one of the closest-ever leadership races for the governing Liberal Democratic Party.
TOKYO — Japan’s incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, said Monday that he will call a general election for Oct. 27 following his victory in one of the closest-ever leadership races for the governing Liberal Democratic Party.
The poll, which will come a year early and ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November, will decide which party controls parliament’s lower house. Lawmakers there will meet on Tuesday to confirm Ishiba as the country’s next prime minister.
“It is important for the new administration to be judged by the people as soon as possible,” Ishiba said at a news conference at LDP headquarters in Tokyo.
Japanese shares fell more than 4% in early trading Monday as the yen strengthened and Japanese government bonds jumped in reaction to the leadership win by Ishiba, who is seen as a monetary policy hawk.
Ishiba on Monday began picking government and party officials who will contest the upcoming general election with him.
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