Japan's lower house of parliament dissolved, paving way for snap vote

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially dissolved parliament Thursday, effectively kicking off a national election campaign where he faces an unexpected and formidable challenge from the popular governor of Tokyo.

After the speaker officially dissolved parliament, members of the lower house raised their arms and shouted "Banzai" three times -- the Japanese equivalent of "three cheers" -- before breaking into applause.