Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament, today, paving the way for a snap election that is expected to be held on October 22. The speaker of the house, Tadamori Oshima, read the statement of dissolution.<br/>The dissolution of the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber parliament comes more than a year before required by law. Abe is widely seen as trying to reconsolidate his grip on power within the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), so he can extend the term of his premiership next year. <br/><br/>However, the ruling party, though, faces a growing challenge from a new party launched by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike this week. Koike's new Party of Hope has upended the election outlook after the former LDP member announced she would lead the group herself.