Abe dissolves parliament; kicks off 'difficult' election battle

Tokyo

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved parliament on Thursday, effectively kicking off a national election campaign where he faces an unexpected and formidable challenge from the popular governor of Tokyo.

Members of the lower house raised their arms and shouted banzai three times - the Japanese equivalent of "three cheers" - after the speaker read out a letter officially dissolving the chamber.