Earlier, the prime minister had refrained from disbanding the Parliament in the hope that his popularity and acceptance amongst people will improve. However, the rout faced by the ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP) in the recent local election forced him to announce the polls.

Prior to the announcement, LDP had already entered into the elections mode and started holding rallies. For last fifty years, the party has called the shots in Japanese politics as it always managed a majority in the lower house. 

However, the ensuing elections may spring a surprise for the party as there is large amount of dissatisfaction against LDP. There is clearly an anti-incumbency feeling in the air as the ruling party has lost in a number of local elections. 

Japanese opposition is also seeing this as an historic opportunity and feels that coming elections will bring about a major change in politics for decades. 

Several independent polls have also indicated that after years of LDP rule, people are looking for change and might vote for the opposition.