Japan dissolves parliament's lower house

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Japanese cabinet members have signed off on Prime Minister Taro Aso's plan to dissolve parliament's lower house. Aso has called for an election expected at the end of next month. This comes as polls show his ruling party is in danger of a historic defeat.

File photo shows a meeting of Japan's Lower House of Parliament meet  in Tokyo. Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso dissolved parliament on  Tuesday, paving the way for polls late next month seen as likely  to end his party's more than half century of almost unbroken rule.

The speaker of the lower house announced the move on Tuesday, setting the stage for a vote that could trigger a rare change in Japan's political leadership.

Aso has said he will call the national vote for August 30.

Takeo Kawamura, Janpanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, said, "Prime Minister Aso said that he will go ahead with the dissolution as we have a responsibility to build a safe and vigorous society for the future...And we need to seek understanding from the people of Japan to do so."

According to polls by two Japanese newspapers, the Mainichi and Asahi, more people back a new government led by the Democrats...than the ruling party. The polls, taken over the weekend, showed support for the current Cabinet at just 17 percent.