Japan snap election on ice as Suga faces autumn deadline

Politicians already spoiling for a fight as end of term looms for lower house

20210409 House of Representatives

Lawmakers in Japan's lower house cheer the dissolution of the chamber in September 2017. Opposition parties had boycotted the session. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan's ruling and opposition parties are gearing up for a general election that must be held in the next six months as the four-year legal term of the lower house ends in October.

Speculation is rife about when Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will dissolve the house for a snap poll. While history indicates it can come any time, Suga is facing a raft of challenges including the coronavirus pandemic and the Tokyo Olympics, all of which may prevent him from taking the step until shortly before the end of the term or even force him to let the term expire.

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