DHAKA: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called an early election, two years ahead of schedule.

At a news briefing, he said he would dissolve parliament later this week and was also delaying a planned but unpopular increase in sales tax.

Abe was elected two years ago with an ambitious plan to revive the economy, but has struggled to do so.

His popularity has fallen but he is expected to win the election, which will take place in mid-December.

‘I will dissolve the lower house on 21 (November),’ Abe said, reports the BBC.

Abe’s party, the Liberal Democrats already has a majority in the lower house, but analysts said Abe hoped to consolidate power over an opposition party which is in disarray.

BDST: 1751 HRS, NOV 18, 2014