Nikkei article doing the rounds regarding.....>

JAPAN: Nikkei article doing the rounds regarding the possibility of a snap

election in Japan this year. The article speculates that Japanese PM Abe could

call a snap election to coincide with two by-elections on October 22.

Speculation regarding a snap election is emanating from both the ruling LDP

party and the opposition, the article cites the LDP's strong performance in snap

elections in November 2014 that "caught Opposition parties flat footed" as

potential rationale for calling a snap election.

- The article goes on to say that Abe could be seeking to head off plans by

Nippon First no Kai to launch a new party which could attract dissatisfied LDP

voters, particularly in the wake of Yuriko Kioke's victory in the Tokyo Assembly

election for Nippon First no Kai in July. 

- The article goes on to say that support for Abe's government has halted its

slide after the cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, providing another reason

for Abe to capitalise on what may prove to be fleeting support after a scandal

hit few months. Opinion appears to be divided with one LDP official saying "we

could lose 50 seats or more".