Amidst criticism that the vote is taking place far too soon, the new Japanese prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, dissolved the lower chamber of parliament on Wednesday in order to hold a snap election on October 27. Ishiba asked the public to have faith in the party's policies. Ishiba assumed office last week following the resignation of Fumio Kishida, who had led the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for three years during a period marred by corruption scandals.