Japan's PM may dissolve parliament on same day if no-confidence vote submitted

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may dissolve the country's lower house of parliament if the opposition submits a no-confidence vote on June 16, and the dissolution would come the same day

Speculation that Kishida would call an election has intensified as his public approval ratings rose after he hosted the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, his home base, Reuters reports per Fuji TV.

An election for parliament's more powerful lower house is not due until 2025. Kishida is looking to solidify his strength in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of a leadership race next fall, to ensure his re-election.

Kishida sidestepped queries on plans for a snap election at a news conference on the night of June 13, saying numerous factors would govern the decision, as the approaching end of the parliament session could make for a fluid political situation.

The LDP's parliamentary majority all but guarantees that its president will be prime minister.