Japan's general election to be held Oct. 31: new PM Kishida

Japan will hold a general election on Oct. 31, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday, going to the polls earlier than expected in the apparent hope of capitalizing on an anticipated popularity bump after assuming office and the improving COVID-19 situation.Kishida, who was elected prime minister by parliament earlier in the day, said he will dissolve the House of Representatives on Oct. 14, the final day of an extraordinary Diet session, setting the stage for election campaigning to start on Oct. 19.<READ MAIN STORY HERE>Uncertainty over the COVID-19 situation and the risk of a political…READ FULL ARTICLE