(Sankei: February 8, 2016 – p. 5)

 Appearing on the Fuji TV program “Shin Hodo 2001,” Hakubun Shimomura, a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) member and special adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, disclosed his view on the possibility of the dissolution of the House of Representatives to call a snap election before the end of 2016, noting, “I think the possibility is very high. We should probably think about it based on the premise that the possibility is 90%.” He also said: “There are a number of reasons that can be cited (for the election). There are plenty of justifications.”

 Shimomura cited the consumption tax hike to 10% in April next year as his reason for saying there is a strong possibility that the Lower House election will be held within the year instead of next year or later. He said: “The economic situation might become too severe (to conduct the election).”