Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling coalition was on track for a big win in Sunday&#39;s election, media exit polls showed, potentially re-energising a push towards his cherished goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution.

Abe&#39;s Liberal Democratic Party-led (LDP) coalition was set to win 311 seats, keeping its two-thirds &quot;super majority&quot; in the 465-member lower house, an exit poll by TBS television showed. Some other broadcasters had the ruling bloc slightly below the two-thirds mark.

A hefty win raises the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012, will win a third three-year-term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan&#39;s longest-serving premier. It also means his &quot;Abenomics&quot; growth strategy centred on the hyper-easy monetary policy will likely continue.

The US-drafted constitution&#39;s Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for self-defence.

Backers of Abe&#39;s proposal say it would just codify the status quo. Critics fear it would allow an expanded role overseas for the military.

The LDP&#39;s junior partner, the Komeito, is cautious about changing the constitution, drawn up after World War Two, but media have forecast that the LDP and pro-revision opposition parties are on track for the two-thirds majority needed to begin to make changes.

Abe said he needed a new mandate to tackle a &quot;national crisis&quot; from North Korea&#39;s missile and nuclear threats and a fast-aging population. He called the poll amid confusion in the opposition camp and an uptick in his ratings, dented earlier in the year by suspected cronyism scandals.

A new conservative party, the Party of Hope, led by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, was jostling with a new liberal opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, for the top opposition spot, the exit polls showed.

Koike&#39;s party had lost steam from early in the campaign, while the CDPJ picked up momentum.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition was set to win 311 seats, keeping its two-thirds 'super majority' in the 465-member lower house, an exit poll by TBS television showed

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition was on track for a big win in Sunday's election, media exit polls showed, potentially re-energising a push towards his cherished goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-led (LDP) coalition was set to win 311 seats, keeping its two-thirds "super majority" in the 465-member lower house, an exit poll by TBS television showed. Some other broadcasters had the ruling bloc slightly below the two-thirds mark. A hefty win raises the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012, will win a third three-year-term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan's longest-serving premier. It also means his "Abenomics" growth strategy centred on the hyper-easy monetary policy will likely continue. The US-drafted constitution's Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for self-defence. Backers of Abe's proposal say it would just codify the status quo. Critics fear it would allow an expanded role overseas for the military. The LDP's junior partner, the Komeito, is cautious about changing the constitution, drawn up after World War Two, but media have forecast that the LDP and pro-revision opposition parties are on track for the two-thirds majority needed to begin to make changes. Abe said he needed a new mandate to tackle a "national crisis" from North Korea's missile and nuclear threats and a fast-aging population. He called the poll amid confusion in the opposition camp and an uptick in his ratings, dented earlier in the year by suspected cronyism scandals. A new conservative party, the Party of Hope, led by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, was jostling with a new liberal opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, for the top opposition spot, the exit polls showed. Koike's party had lost steam from early in the campaign, while the CDPJ picked up momentum.

Japan PM Abe's ruling bloc on track for big win in election: TV exit polls

Japanese voters deliver their verdict on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s nearly five years in power in an election on Sunday that will determine if he has the clout to push ahead with his cherished goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution.

Media forecasts show Abe&#39;s gamble on the snap poll is likely to pay off, with his conservative Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition closing in on the two-thirds &quot;super majority&quot; it had in parliament&#39;s lower house before dissolution.&nbsp;

A hefty victory would raise the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012 promising to bolster defence and reboot the economy, will win a third term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan&#39;s longest-serving premier.

It would also reenergise Abe&#39;s push to revise the war-renouncing constitution by clarifying the status of the military, while maintaining his &quot;Abenomics&quot; growth strategy centred on the Bank of Japan&#39;s hyper-easy monetary policy.

The constitution&#39;s Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for self-defence.

Backers of Abe&#39;s proposal say it would just codify the status quo. Critics fear it would allow an expanded role overseas for the military.

The LDP&#39;s junior partner, the Komeito, is cautious about changing the constitution, but media have forecast that the LDP and pro-revision opposition parties are on track for the two-thirds majority needed to begin to change the charter.

A weak LDP showing, however, could trigger moves to replace Abe when his term as party chief ends, and cloud the outlook for amending the constitution.

Abe, 63, has already led the LDP to four landslide wins since he took the helm of the party, but turnout has been low and the LDP has typically won with about 25 percent of eligible votes. Others either stayed home or backed opposition parties.

This time, Abe said he needed a new mandate to tackle a &quot;national crisis&quot; from North Korea&#39;s missile and nuclear threat and a fast-ageing population. He called the poll amid confusion in the opposition camp and an uptick in his ratings, dented earlier in the year by suspected cronyism scandals.

&quot;The situation in the world is not stable in many aspects and I believe the LDP is the only party to rely on,&quot; 78-year-old Kyoko Ichida said after voting in the capital.

As voters went to the polls, powerful Typhoon Lan was dumping heavy rain on much of Japan, threatening to lower turnout.

Abe&#39;s move had seemed risky after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a possible first Japanese female premier, launched her Party of Hope to challenge the LDP as a conservative rival.

The Party of Hope absorbed a big chunk of the failed main opposition Democratic Party. But voter enthusiasm soon seemed to wane despite its calls for popular policies such as an exit from nuclear power and a freeze on a planned sales tax rise.

Koike is not running for a lower house seat herself - she will be in Paris for a climate change event on Sunday - and has failed to say whom her party would back for prime minister.

A new Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), formed by liberal DP members, is now vying with Koike&#39;s party for the top opposition spot, though both will have just a sliver of the LDP&#39;s presence if forecasts prove accurate. 
&nbsp;

Media forecasts show Abe's gamble on the snap poll is likely to pay off, with his conservative Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition closing in on the two-thirds 'super majority' it had in parliament's lower house before dissolution

Japanese voters deliver their verdict on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's nearly five years in power in an election on Sunday that will determine if he has the clout to push ahead with his cherished goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution. Media forecasts show Abe's gamble on the snap poll is likely to pay off, with his conservative Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition closing in on the two-thirds "super majority" it had in parliament's lower house before dissolution. A hefty victory would raise the likelihood that Abe, who took office in December 2012 promising to bolster defence and reboot the economy, will win a third term as LDP leader next September and go on to become Japan's longest-serving premier. It would also reenergise Abe's push to revise the war-renouncing constitution by clarifying the status of the military, while maintaining his "Abenomics" growth strategy centred on the Bank of Japan's hyper-easy monetary policy. The constitution's Article 9, if taken literally, bans the maintenance of armed forces. But Japanese governments have interpreted it to allow a military exclusively for self-defence. Backers of Abe's proposal say it would just codify the status quo. Critics fear it would allow an expanded role overseas for the military. The LDP's junior partner, the Komeito, is cautious about changing the constitution, but media have forecast that the LDP and pro-revision opposition parties are on track for the two-thirds majority needed to begin to change the charter. A weak LDP showing, however, could trigger moves to replace Abe when his term as party chief ends, and cloud the outlook for amending the constitution. Abe, 63, has already led the LDP to four landslide wins since he took the helm of the party, but turnout has been low and the LDP has typically won with about 25 percent of eligible votes. Others either stayed home or backed opposition parties. This time, Abe said he needed a new mandate to tackle a "national crisis" from North Korea's missile and nuclear threat and a fast-ageing population. He called the poll amid confusion in the opposition camp and an uptick in his ratings, dented earlier in the year by suspected cronyism scandals. "The situation in the world is not stable in many aspects and I believe the LDP is the only party to rely on," 78-year-old Kyoko Ichida said after voting in the capital. As voters went to the polls, powerful Typhoon Lan was dumping heavy rain on much of Japan, threatening to lower turnout. Abe's move had seemed risky after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, often floated as a possible first Japanese female premier, launched her Party of Hope to challenge the LDP as a conservative rival. The Party of Hope absorbed a big chunk of the failed main opposition Democratic Party. But voter enthusiasm soon seemed to wane despite its calls for popular policies such as an exit from nuclear power and a freeze on a planned sales tax rise. Koike is not running for a lower house seat herself - she will be in Paris for a climate change event on Sunday - and has failed to say whom her party would back for prime minister. A new Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), formed by liberal DP members, is now vying with Koike's party for the top opposition spot, though both will have just a sliver of the LDP's presence if forecasts prove accurate.

Japan goes to vote in snap polls

Campaigning for an election to Japan&#39;s upper house of parliament begins today, as surveys give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling bloc the lead, despite doubts about his growth policies and desire to revise the post-war pacifist constitution. 
 
Abe&#39;s coalition is in no danger of losing power in the election, but he needs a solid win to keep his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers in line and perhaps stay on another three years after his tenure as LDP president expires in 2018. 
 
Abe is casting the July 10 election for half the seats in the 242-member chamber as a referendum on his decision to delay a planned hike in an unpopular sales tax and his &quot;Abenomics&quot; recipe of hyper-easy monetary policy, spending and reform. 
 
&quot;Our policies have had some success, but we are still only halfway to where we want to be,&quot; Abe said in a televised debate on Tuesday. &quot;I want to accelerate Abenomics, shift up two or three gears and make sure the economy is growing.&quot; 
 
Media surveys show about twice as many voters plan to vote for Abe&#39;s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as for the main opposition Democratic Party, but also show support for Abe and his party slipping amid growing doubt that his efforts to revive the economy are working. 
 
Turnout is expected to be weak after hitting a record low of 52.6 per cent in a 2013 upper house vote. 
 
About 2.4 million Japanese aged 18 and 19 will be able to vote for the first time, but surveys suggest the turnout of this group will be lower than among their parents and grandparents. 
 
The expected victory for the ruling bloc is thus more likely to be a vote of no-confidence in the opposition than a groundswell of support for Abe and his policies. 
 
&quot;Abenomics is not working out well and Abe&#39;s security policies are not popular. You&#39;d think he&#39;d be vulnerable,&quot; said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asia studies at Temple University&#39;s Japan campus. 
 
&quot;But the opposition is weak and discredited, and even though they will be cooperating, I don&#39;t think it will make a big difference.&quot; 
 
Some analysts, however, said the LDP could lose some of the 51 seats it held among those up for grabs, thanks to a historic move by opposition parties to join hands. 
 
The Democratic Party and three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, are backing unified candidates in 32 single-seat districts, and have support from grassroots civic groups opposed to Abe&#39;s hawkish security policies and drive to revise the constitution. 
 
But regaining public trust is a tough task for the Democrats after a 2009 to 2012 tenure many remember for infighting and unkept promises. 
 
&quot;The Democratic Party is the only opposition party that has experience governing and can learn from its mistakes and change,&quot; its policy chief, Shiori Yamao, told Reuters, adding that it was also drawing on the energy of women and the youth. 
 
&quot;We are becoming a party that cannot only take power but govern properly, so please believe in us again.&quot; 
 
Abe has set a target for his coalition of winning a majority of the 121 seats being contested. 
 
The premier has said the ruling bloc hopes to win a two-thirds majority with like-minded opposition parties to open the path to revising the postwar pacifist constitution, but has recently played down that target. 
 
Surveys show a majority of voters see no need to change the charter, which conservatives see as an obstacle to beefing up defence and a humiliating symbol of defeat in World War Two. 
 
(Reuters)

Abe's Party leads despite doubts on his economic growth policies, revision of post World War two pacifist constitution and hawkish security

Campaigning for an election to Japan's upper house of parliament begins today, as surveys give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc the lead, despite doubts about his growth policies and desire to revise the post-war pacifist constitution. Abe's coalition is in no danger of losing power in the election, but he needs a solid win to keep his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers in line and perhaps stay on another three years after his tenure as LDP president expires in 2018. Abe is casting the July 10 election for half the seats in the 242-member chamber as a referendum on his decision to delay a planned hike in an unpopular sales tax and his "Abenomics" recipe of hyper-easy monetary policy, spending and reform. "Our policies have had some success, but we are still only halfway to where we want to be," Abe said in a televised debate on Tuesday. "I want to accelerate Abenomics, shift up two or three gears and make sure the economy is growing." Media surveys show about twice as many voters plan to vote for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as for the main opposition Democratic Party, but also show support for Abe and his party slipping amid growing doubt that his efforts to revive the economy are working. Turnout is expected to be weak after hitting a record low of 52.6 per cent in a 2013 upper house vote. About 2.4 million Japanese aged 18 and 19 will be able to vote for the first time, but surveys suggest the turnout of this group will be lower than among their parents and grandparents. The expected victory for the ruling bloc is thus more likely to be a vote of no-confidence in the opposition than a groundswell of support for Abe and his policies. "Abenomics is not working out well and Abe's security policies are not popular. You'd think he'd be vulnerable," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asia studies at Temple University's Japan campus. "But the opposition is weak and discredited, and even though they will be cooperating, I don't think it will make a big difference." Some analysts, however, said the LDP could lose some of the 51 seats it held among those up for grabs, thanks to a historic move by opposition parties to join hands. The Democratic Party and three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, are backing unified candidates in 32 single-seat districts, and have support from grassroots civic groups opposed to Abe's hawkish security policies and drive to revise the constitution. But regaining public trust is a tough task for the Democrats after a 2009 to 2012 tenure many remember for infighting and unkept promises. "The Democratic Party is the only opposition party that has experience governing and can learn from its mistakes and change," its policy chief, Shiori Yamao, told Reuters, adding that it was also drawing on the energy of women and the youth. "We are becoming a party that cannot only take power but govern properly, so please believe in us again." Abe has set a target for his coalition of winning a majority of the 121 seats being contested. The premier has said the ruling bloc hopes to win a two-thirds majority with like-minded opposition parties to open the path to revising the postwar pacifist constitution, but has recently played down that target. Surveys show a majority of voters see no need to change the charter, which conservatives see as an obstacle to beefing up defence and a humiliating symbol of defeat in World War Two. (Reuters)

The election race for Japan's upper house of parliament begins today

japan-elections

Japan Elections, News on Japan Elections, stories on Japan Elections, articles on Japan Elections, Japan Elections stories at Wion, Japan Elections news, Japan Elections latest news

japan elections

Japan PM Abe's ruling bloc on track for big win in election: TV exit polls

Japan goes to vote in snap polls

The election race for Japan's upper house of parliament begins today