Japan - October 09, 2024

The dissolution of the lower house of Japan's parliament, setting the stage for a general election, has raised concerns among some Tokyo residents about the country’s political future.

The lower house was officially dissolved on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeks to secure his party's lower house majority.

The general election is slated to be held on Oct 27, with campaigning set to begin on Oct 15.

Tokyo residents interviewed by China Central Television (CCTV) shared their views on the country’s political climate.

Ishiba won the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Sept 27 and was elected prime minister on Oct 1 in a parliament controlled by an LDP-led coalition.

The timing marked the shortest period between a prime minister taking office and the dissolution of the lower house in Japan's postwar history.

Shotlist:
Japan - Oct 9, 2024:
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
1. Various of Japan's National Diet building;
2. Traffic sign reading "The National Diet Main Gate";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
3. Various of Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, signs, security personnel;
Japan - Oct 9, 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given):
"I hope the government can take measures to solve the economic problems. Due to the depreciation of the Japanese yen, our economy is indeed weak at present. So what I'm most looking forward to is the new government taking action on the economy.";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
5. Liberal Democratic Party headquarters;
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
6. Sign of Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, security personnel;
Japan - Oct 9, 2024
7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given):
"I'm a little dissatisfied, and I think the situation may not improve much and may even get worse.";
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
8. Japan's National Diet building;
9. Various of Japanese national flags;
10. Car entering National Diet compound.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]