Word spread quickly Tuesday through the Nagata-cho political center that Prime Minister Taro Aso will not dissolve the Lower House and call a general election until next year so he can focus on the faltering economy.
Rumors had been flying that Aso would dissolve the chamber around the end of this month and set an election for Nov. 30, but fears of a further economic downturn triggered by the international financial crisis have trumped this scenario, sources close to Aso said.
He reportedly said now is not the time to create a political vacuum and he will instead prioritize economic and financial stabilization measures.