Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls snap election
(AGI) Tokyo, Nov 21 - The lower house of the Japaneseparliament has been dissolved for a snap election on Dec. 14,which could see Prime Minister Shinzo Abe consolidate his gripon power. Mr Abe announced the postponement of a VAT rise onTuesday, and called on the country to vote on the matter. Thepress, led by Asahi Shimbun, has criticised him over what itcalled the demagogic and populist nature of the move. The VATrise was an unpopular plan and the election is also being seenas an attempt by the conservative leader to gain public