PM Noda 'to call Japan election in November': Kyodo
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Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has told top opposition politicians he plans to call a general election in early November, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday. --PHOTO: AP
TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has told top opposition politicians he plans to call a general election in early November, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday.
The agency cited senior lawmakers from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as its source, but did not immediately give further details.
Mr Noda was forced to promise the opposition an early general election to gain their support in parliament two weeks ago for a bill to double Japan's sales tax.
The legislation was an attempt to partially plug the country's vast debt hole, and was supported by international bodies, newspapers and most domestic commentators, but surveys showed less than half the electorate approved.
