Tokyo Governor Koike to challenge Japanese PM Abe with new party

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Monday said she will lead a new national party that will challenge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a general election expected to be called for next month.

"I want the Japanese people to believe that there is hope for tomorrow," she said at a televised press conference. "Our ideal is to proceed free of special interests," she added.

Koike is an ex-defense minister and former LDP member, and the challenge to her old party could pose a greater risk for Abe, who is expected to call a snap election for next month.

Abe is benefiting from improved ratings and opposition disarray, but should he suffer a big loss of seats it could spur a challenge to his leadership from within the LDP.

A weekend survey by the Nikkei business daily showed 44 percent of voters will back Abe’s LDP with only 8 percent supporting the main opposition Democratic Party.

(CGTN)