Japan's lower house formally dissolved for Feb. 8 election

Japan's House of Representatives was formally dissolved on Friday at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session, with a general election set for Feb. 8. The official campaign would start next Tuesday, creating a mere 16-day campaign period, the shortest in Japan's postwar history.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi announced her decision on Monday to dissolve the 465-seat lower house for a snap election, aiming to capitalize on her cabinet's current high approval ratings.