Japan to hold snap election in mid-December

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that he will dissolve the lower house later this week, call a snap election for December and put off a sales tax hike planned for next year until 2017.

The decisions were widely expected, especially after Japan this week reported its economy had slumped into recession following a sales tax hike in April.

See also: Japan Lets You Use Your Passport to Get Free Wi-Fi

Abe made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday after meeting with the leader of the Liberal Democrat's coalition party, the New Komeito.

Abe tells #Japan he's made a "grave decision" that will mean he needs to seek the decision of the people and will dissolve lower house.

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 18, 2014 Read more...

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