The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have begun making arrangements to set the date for next year’s Upper House election on July 21, with official campaigning to start on July 4. They will also consider convening next year’s ordinary Diet session in late January. The plans reflect the government and the LDP’s intention to secure a schedule for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to conduct summit diplomacy, aiming to take advantage of his diplomatic achievements in campaigning for the Upper House election. (Abridged)