Estimates Indicate 'Significant Victory' for Abe Coalition in Japanese Parliamentary Elections

The ruling coalition in Japan led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is leading in the nationwide parliamentary elections held on Sunday, October 20, and is estimated to achieve a significant victory. According to the Associated Press, Abe's victory will strengthen his chances of leading the Liberal Democratic Party for another three years in the upcoming elections in September. This situation will extend his premiership until 2021 and provide him with more opportunities to pursue his long-standing goal of revising Japan's pacifist constitution. Abe's coalition victory in the medium term means the continuation of his policies that have been followed since he came to power in December 2012—policies such as a hardline stance against North Korea, close ties with Washington including in defense matters, along with an expansionary monetary policy and pursuit of nuclear energy. Japanese media immediately after the polls closed predicted that the Liberal Democratic Party and its small partner, Komeito, would secure up to two-thirds of the seats in the lower house of parliament. According to unofficial figures from NHK television released on Sunday night local time, the ruling coalition in Japan has secured 264 out of 465 seats in the lower house, while other parties have obtained 109 seats. Final results are expected to be announced by Monday. The Japanese Prime Minister stated that the election results indicate that voters support his policies and desire the continuation of his political leadership. Shinzo Abe told NHK, 'I believe these results reflect voters' preference for a stable political foundation and their expectation for us to advance policies and achieve results from them.' Abe's popularity had dropped to about 30 percent last summer as he was accused of government favoritism towards those close to him. This accusation led to the perception that his position as party leader and Prime Minister of Japan was shaky. On Sunday, he referred to this issue, saying, 'I bow my head in humility before this victory and will continue my work with humility and sincerity.' A month ago, Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house and called for early elections. The lower house elects the Prime Minister and is considered the strongest house in the Japanese parliament. Abe's party and its nationalist supporters have long sought to revise Japan's constitution, which they view as a legacy of Japan's defeat and the imposition of the winning side's order and values in World War II. The Japanese constitution prohibits the use of force in international disputes and limits the number of defense forces that the country can maintain, although Japan has a very modern and well-equipped military that closely cooperates with the United States. Any changes to Japan's constitution, which has not had any amendments attached to it so far, require the approval of two-thirds of parliament members and must then be put to a public referendum. According to the Associated Press, polls indicate that public opinion in Japan remains opposed to amending the constitution.