Abe faces new challenge as he calls snap election

Our new slogan:

"I am a teapot."

Not, "I'm a little teapot", more like "I'm a little despot".

Well, here is to hoping that Abe get's more than just a "bloody nose"! How about a TKO!

"This election is about how we protect Japan, the people's lives and peaceful daily life," Abe said. "The election is about the future of our children."

This election is about fear mongering in a desperate attempt to remain in power

Put you hand on your hip and take a jump to the right, shout " Bonsai" everything will be alright.

The fate of the "strong and stable" Treeza may await the arrogant and brazen Abe with his opportunistic, tax-wasting snap election. Let's hope the hubris of the LDP meets its nemesis in the fake Party of Hope!

"Another missile test would likely put him in the limelight further, casting a shadow on the Party of Hope's policy credentials," 

Oh, it's coming. Mark your calendars!!

Put you hand on your hip and take a jump to the right, shout " Bonsai" everything will be alright.

Don't know if this was intentional or not, but I just got the image of a bunch of little old and weathered trees dancing around! Lol!

Let's do the Time Warp again!

I look at this picture of Abe and his cabinet and I reach for the sake.

Then I look at the picture of Koike and her "new" party members and I realize I'm gonna need more alcohol.

Our new slogan:

"I am a teapot."

Just tip me over and throw me out

"The election is about the future of our children."

Those children who are going to need to pay more and more in tax to cover all the debts that Abe's LDP has chalked up?

Abe has been in power for 5 years and he's achieved nothing positive for the children of this household. Thank goodness they have loving caring parents.

How can he dissolve parliament as an attempt to reconsolidate his hold on power within the LDP, after a series of scandals and missteps earlier this year? Another theatrical performance to show something 'clean' on him, that's logically insane to most of Japanese people, with exception of his supporters who still believe him as Japan's salvation bringing miracle policies! Insane strategy for those insane LDP+supporters might be the answer...

Evidently they all have back trouble.

Woah, those guys mean business! They're doing the "FIGHT-O!!!!" fist pump! That means they're gonna get ish DONE!

He said he is seeking a public mandate on his tough diplomatic and defense policies to deal with escalating threats from North Korea, and that party members would have to relay his message to win voter support during the campaign.

If this is his only platform agenda he has already lost. The people of Japan are more concerned about putting food on the table than putting bombs in DPRK.

Abe has not achieved any of the main objectives he promised when he was first elected, nor the ones he promised when he was reelected

The ONLY thing he has kept his word on was increasing the consumption tax, but the economy has continued to stagnate and Japanese companies have continued to receive thumpings from more competitive rivals overseas.

Abe literally bought his victories in the past elections with countryside vote subsidies and personal and corporate cronyism. It is time to kick him out and send him to jail. He is a criminal - he should not be leading this country further into his maniacal despot spiral.

Party of hope is a lame name.  ABBA would be better (Anyone But Bl**dy Abe).  although I guess the acronym doesn't work in Japanese.

caption to the photo… "pledge to win?" lets hope it's as successful as all Abe-san's other pledges….

Under Abe nothing will change but the scariest thing I saw on TV last night was that Ozawa is also back in business. Why can't this guy just take Aso with him and disappear for ever.

What a sad, depressing photo that instills zero positive energy or motivation. Like 3 day old socks, it's time for something clean, vibrant and fresh...

Not a woman in the picture. If that doesn't tell female voters something, they'll get what they deserve.

Abe's party already controls the Lower House. He really doesn't need to gain more seats in it. It would be nice for him but not necessary.

I think this is an opportunistic gamble that's going to backfire on him. Not to mention, the huge cost it takes to run national elections. What a waste all of this is.

Politics of fear, much like GW Bush in 2004. North Korea, for Abe, is the gift that keeps on giving.

One sad thing not covered much in any of the press or media is the first thing Abe said when he talked about his plans for the money collected with the tax increase.

He first talked about Technical Colleges receiving money, and students who come from lower income families, having access to funds to get a higher education. THEN he discussed about child care.

Both of these are very serious issues, but sadly Abe's "promises" can not be counted on!

No change is what comes to my mind when seeing that photo.

It is going to be worst if constitution is turned to "aggressive" instead of pacific.

Hardly no demos from the youth, no time due to work.

@jonathon. You hit the nail on the head. A large proportion of youngins are non political, Macdonald eating, coffee and tabacco addicts. Manga is their main news source.

First time i've ever seen a nationalistic version of Superman!

An hilariously camp photo.

All these PARTIES and none of the common folk ever get invited.

what can we expect in the future, more Floponomics?

Photo looks like something out of Germany WW2

Go go power rangers!!

PM Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso looking very determined and enthusiastic to win the coming LOWER HOUSE election with big majority on Oct 22.

If Abe is reelected, he mus do what a Japanese PM would do and should do, not what an India PM would do nor a Canadian PM should do.