News In Brief

Japan appears headed for December elections

Aides of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone said Wednesday he had decided to dissolve parliament later this month and call a general election in mid-December. His decision had been conveyed to senior officials of the government and of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the aides said.

The decision was intended to break the political deadlock in Japan that followed the conviction of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka on Oct. 12 for taking a $2 million bribe from Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Opposition parties have boycotted parliament, hoping to force a Tanaka resignation from the House of Representatives. But he has refused to quit.