Japan’s PM interrupts campaign as N Korea test-fires missile

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s new prime minister has interrupted his first day of election campaigning and returned to Tokyo to deal with rising regional tensions following North Korea’s test-firing of a missile. Tuesday was the first official day of campaigning for nationwide legislative elections scheduled for Oct. 31. Fumio Kishida’s campaign was already off to a rocky start with media polls showing his support rating sliding. He was informed of the missile launch after his opening campaign speech in Fukushima. After returning to the capital he vowed to drastically strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities.