Japan 's PM Shinzo Abe calls snap elections for December 14 . He 's framing the election as a referendum on his much - vaunted ' Abenomics ' economic policies . Analysts suggest he may be giving up power . Indeed , polls suggest that a majority of the public do n't understand why Abe is calling an election at this time , and are critical of the cost during another period of recession . Other issues are important to Japanese voters , but may not get much play in this election .
Japan 's PM Shinzo Abe calls snap elections for December 14 . He 's framing the election as a referendum on his much - vaunted ' Abenomics ' economic policies . Analysts suggest he may be giving up power . Other issues are important to Japanese voters , but may not get much play in this election .