Japan's PM interrupts campaign as N Korea test fires missile

Japan’s new prime minister has interrupted his first day of election campaigning on Tuesday, as he returned to the capital of Tokyo to deal with rising regional tensions following North Korea’s test-firing of a missile earlier in the day

TOKYO -- Japan's new prime minister interrupted his first day of election campaigning on Tuesday, as he returned to the capital of Tokyo to deal with rising regional tensions following North Korea's test-firing of a missile earlier in the day.

Fumio Kishida's campaign was already off to a rocky start, with media polls showing his support rating sliding. Tuesday was the first official day of campaigning for nationwide legislative elections scheduled for Oct. 31.

“I will drastically strengthen our defense capabilities. The Kishida administration is determined to protect our land, territorial sea and air space as well as the people’s lives and assets no matter what," Kishida said, after he had returned to Tokyo.

Kishida, a former foreign minister from Hiroshima, was previously known for his dovish stance and pledge for a nuclear weapons ban. He has increasingly turned hawkish, apparently to gain support from ultra-conservative heavyweights within his governing party, including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He has called for bolstering Japan's defense budget and capabilities.