Snap election called for in Japan as new party roils outlook

But Koike’s new Party of Hope, only formally launched on Wednesday, has upended the outlook for the election after the former LDP member announced she would lead it herself.

“I‘m someone who is always ready to take action,” Koike told a news conference where she spoke about her achievements since taking office as governor a year ago.

A media-savvy former defense minister whose name has often been floated to be Japan’s first female prime minister, Koike said she would not run for a seat herself, although speculation persists that she will.

Democratic Party executives said they would not run candidates of their own and would let members run under the Party of Hope banner.

The party has struggled to overcome rock-bottom ratings, defections and an image tainted by its rocky stint in power from 2009 to 2012.

After the cabinet formally set the date of the election, Abe told reporters, “I decided to call this election because we must overcome the national crisis of the threat from North Korea and an aging population by obtaining a mandate from the people.”

Some opposition lawmakers boycotted the dissolution session, in protest against Abe’s election decision, which could bring about a political vacuum at a time of high tension with North Korea over its missile and nuclear arms programs.

A survey by the Mainichi newspaper showed 18 percent of voters plan to vote for Koike’s party, compared to 29 percent for Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

An Asahi newspaper poll showed 13 percent planned to vote for her party, versus 32 percent for the LDP.