TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has dissolved the lower house of parliament and called a snap election for next month as expected.

The speaker of the house, Tadamori Oshima, on Thursday read a statement of dissolution, ordered by Abe.

The election is expected to be held on Oct. 22.

The dissolution of the more powerful of Japan's two-chamber parliament comes more than a year before required by law.