Japan PM grilled over flip-flop in 1st Diet debate with opposition

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday sought to stave off criticism from the opposition bloc about his abrupt change of heart over when to dissolve the lower house and other key policy issues as Japan gears up for a general election in late October.Ishiba defended his decision to dissolve the chamber on Wednesday, only eight days after becoming prime minister, saying that he needs to secure a fresh mandate and restore public trust in politics following his party's political funds scandal.In his first parliamentary debate before the Oct. 27 race, Ishiba underscored the necessity of maintai…READ FULL ARTICLE