Last week, opinion polls gave Ishiba's cabinet a 45-50% approval rating, compared with 20-30% in the last month of Kishida's rule.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has dissolved parliament ahead of snap elections on 27 October, relying on a fractured opposition to carry his party to an outright victory.
Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has ruled Japan almost continuously for decades - albeit with frequent changes of leadership - and is almost certain to win the vote.
Ishiba, appointed prime minister only last week, wants to guarantee himself a full mandate to push through policies that include increased defence spending as well as for poorer regions hit by Japan's demographic crisis.
"We want to face this election honestly and sincerely so that this government can gain (public) trust," Ishiba said.
Later, the parliament speaker read a letter from the prime minister bearing the emperor's seal, officially dissolving parliament as lawmakers shouted the traditional "banzai" cry.
The three-year government of Ishiba's predecessor, Fumio Kishida, had record-low approval ratings because of a funds scandal and voter discontent over price hikes.
Polls last week gave Ishiba's cabinet a 45-50% approval rating, compared with 20-30% in the final month of Kishida's rule.
Ishiba's supporters are hoping that the self-confessed defence "maniac" and outspoken critic of the LDP leadership will boost the party's popularity, including by persuading young people to vote for it. | BGNES
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