Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Calls Snap Election

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called a snap election in response to lower third quarter GDP numbers following the implantation of a consumption tax hike in April of this year.   

So, at 7:10 this evening Japan time Shinzo Abe held a press conference announcing a dissolution of the Diet to in his words to seek the opinion and affirmation of the Japanese voter.   In Japan politicians see themselves as paternalistic to the people they believe are unequal and need of their wisdom and guidance.   For Abe to even mouth those words is just reprehensible as he and his party have no intention of listening to anyone but themselves. At point during his press conference this obtuse asshole actually said that taxation without representation which is a corner stone of American history applies to Japan. To bad its not true.

     

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called an early election, two years ahead of schedule.

At a news briefing, he said he would dissolve parliament later this week and was also delaying a planned but unpopular increase in sales tax.
Mr Abe was elected two years ago with an ambitious plan to revive the economy, but has struggled to do so.
His popularity has fallen but he is expected to win the election, which will take place in mid-December.
"I will dissolve the lower house on 21 (November) ," Mr Abe said.
Mr Abe's party, the Liberal Democrats, already has a majority in the lower house, but analysts said Mr Abe hoped to consolidate power over an opposition party which is in disarray.