TOKYO, OCT 4: New Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called a general election for Oct. 31 in his inaugural address on Monday, hoping to capitalise on the honeymoon period typically enjoyed by new administrations amid a drastic drop in COVID-19 infections.

KISHIDA TO CREATE PANEL ON ECONOMIC STEPS

Kishida said on Monday he will create a new panel to debate measures to achieve solid economic growth in a post-pandemic world.

In his first news conference as prime minister, Kishida also said he will consider offering cash payouts to households hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.