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Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has called for elections a year early.
Abe is seeking to take advantage of higher opinion polls to secure a third consecutive term as prime minister.
He will dissolve parliament’s lower house on Thursday and a total of 475 seats will be open for contestants.
Addressing the country in a national address Monday, Shinzo Abe said his decision was influenced by the rising tensions over North Korea.
His words: “I’ve decided I must seek the mandate of the people immediately so I will dissolve the lower house on the 28th of this month.
“We must not give into the threat of North Korea. I hope to gain the confidence of the people in the upcoming election and push forward strong diplomacy”.