The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally decided Friday to convene an extraordinary Diet session next Thursday, which Abe is expected to immediately close by dissolving the Lower House despite opposition allegations that it would constitute a violation of Article 53 of the Constitution.
At meetings of the Diet affairs steering committees of both the Lower and Upper Houses, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced that the much-awaited session would finally commence on Sept. 28.
But the committee members from the Democratic Party, the largest opposition force, boycotted Friday's meetings because they believe Abe lacks a legitimate reason to dissolve the lower chamber, which will lead to an expensive snap election on Oct. 22. The power of dissolution lies solely with the prime minister.