Japan new PM to seek fresh mandate to handle virus, economy

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says he will dissolve the lower house next week in preparation for Oct. 31 elections as he seeks a fresh mandate to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the sagging economy and security threats from China and North Korea. Kishida was formally elected by Parliament on Monday to replace Yoshihide Suga, who resigned after only one year in office. In his first news conference, Kishida said he will seek to set up a crisis management unit and to push a large-scale recovery package to support those hit by the pandemic. He also spoke with President Joe Biden about the Japan-U.S. alliance, and Biden said he looked forward to strengthening their relationship.