New | Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans snap general election: reports

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to hold snap elections on December 14, two years ahead of schedule, as he seeks to bolster his public support by delaying another scheduled tax hike, reports said on Saturday.

Abe is expected to announce his decision at a press conference on Tuesday, according to major media, including the Yomiuri Shimbun.

The development comes as the Abe government moves to postpone a consumption tax hike to 10 per cent from the current 8 per cent amid a series of weak economic indicators fuelling fears of recession.

The tax hike was originally scheduled for October next year, but the government wants to delay it until April 2017 to safeguard the fragile recovery, according to local media.

Abe’s decision would cut short the current four-year term of the powerful lower house, which is scheduled to expire in December 2016.

The premier wanted an early election while opposition parties remain weak after the ruling party’s spectacular election victory two years ago, pundits said.

Abe also wanted to put a national election behind him before he pushes unpopular bills such as those related to expanding the role of the Japanese military, the Kyodo News agency said.