New Japan PM to call snap election on 31 October, say reports

Fumio Kishida to announce dissolution of parliament as he takes advantage of honeymoon period

Japan's new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has decided to seek an early public mandate, amid reports that he is about to call an election for the end of the month, several weeks earlier than expected.

Kishida, who was approved by parliament as the country's leader on Monday, surprised many pundits who believed he would give his Liberal Democratic party (LDP) more time to regroup after a disappointing year under his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga.