TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced at a press conference on Monday that he will dissolve the House of Representatives when it convenes Thursday to pave way for a general election next monthThe prime minister cited the need to seek a fresh manda威博滚球体育te to overcome "a national crisis" caused by "the biggest challenge facing Japan, which is the population aging and low birthrate," as well as security challengesAbe has been under fire for his connection with nationalist private school operator Moritomo Gakuen, which purchased a piece of state-owned land in Osaka for only a fraction of the market priceHe said that he would seek mandate from the people for shifting the usage of part of the revenue generated by a consumption tax hike that has been delayed until 2019 from paying debt to welfare policiesHe added that the reason Abe cited f威博滚球体育or dissolving the lower house is not convincing, and that the prime minister is just trying to avoid further grilling on favoritism scandalsHe also said that he would seek public support for a tougher stance over the Korea Peninsula issue