JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE triggered a snap election on Monday by officially announcing his intention to dissolve the lower house at the beginning of the extraordinary Diet session on Thursday. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

The election announced by Abe at a news conference is aimed at capitalizing on the weak and fractured opposition so he retains power for another term, as polls show he has regained some support after a series of scandals and the departure of several political confidants hit his approval rating.

Since February, Abe has been haunted by political scandals, particularly his involvement in a friend's business. His support rate fell below 30 percent between June and July, a level that has prompted many of his predecessors to resign.