Japan PM Suga intends to dissolve parliament mid-Sept, delay party chief race -media

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during a news conference announcing to extend a state of emergency on COVID-19 pandemic at prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, August 17, 2021. Kimimasa Mayama/Pool via REUTERS//File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga intends to dissolve the lower house of parliament in mid-September after a reshuffle of the ruling party executive and his cabinet next week, Mainichi newspaper said late on Tuesday, citing senior government sources.

Suga will delay the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader contest originally slated for Sept. 29 until after the general election, said Mainichi, adding that the premier is considering holding the election on Oct. 17.