Japan’s beleaguered prime minister calls an election

SINCE becoming Japan’s prime minister last September, Taro Aso has resisted calls to hold an early election. But the clamour from both his own team, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as well as the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), became too loud to ignore. The LDP suffered a striking defeat in municipal elections in Tokyo on Sunday July 12th and, facing an open revolt from his own party, Mr Aso finally succumbed.

On Monday Mr Aso decided to call an election on August 30th to select members of the lower house of Japan’s Diet (parliament), which he plans to dissolve next week. The decision should quell moves from within the LDP to boot him out. But the decision could result in the ousting of the LDP; the party has governed Japan for more than 50 years. …