Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday ruled out dissolving the House of Representatives for a snap election "as of now," amid growing speculation that he would do so following the Group of Seven summit in his constituency of Hiroshima.
"As we are putting our priority on important challenges bearing fruit, I am not thinking of a dissolution (of the lower house) and a general election," Kishida said at a press conference to conclude the three-day summit he hosted in western Japan.
The first G-7 summit in Japan in seven years took place less than a month after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party won four out of the five parliamentary seats up for grabs in by-elections, indicating a rise in its popularity.
Since earlier this year, many lawmakers have said Kishida could call a general election by the end of the current Diet session through June 21 if his government's support rate extends its gains after successfully hosting the G-7 summit in Hiroshima.
The approval rating for his Cabinet had plunged to its lowest levels, hovering around 33 percent for four months through February, in the aftermath of a series of resignations by four ministers due to gaffes and money scandals, according to Kyodo News polls.
But the latest survey showed in late April that the support rate rebounded to 46.6 percent, apparently reflecting Kishida's diplomatic efforts, such as the improvement in Japan's relations with South Korea and his unexpected visit to Ukraine in March.
The surprise in-person attendance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G-7 summit may also give fresh impetus to the recovery of the Kishida government's popularity, some political experts said.
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