<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-abes-coalition-on-track-to-win-majority-in-july-21-election-media-233479">Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition</a> is set to win a solid majority in an upper house election later this week, keeping alive his dream to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, a survey showed on Monday.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito together are on track to win as many as 83 seats, well over the 63 seats needed for a majority of the 124 seats to be contested on Sunday, the poll by the Nikkei business daily conducted late last week showed.&nbsp;

Similar polls taken by other media outlets, including the Kyodo news agency, showed support for the LDP had increased to 31.0 per cent of all respondents, up 2 percentage points from a similar poll last month. Support for Komeito was unchanged at 5.6 per cent.

Such a showing could enable the ruling bloc and other smaller parties including the Japan Innovation Party, which supports constitutional revisions, to maintain their "supermajority", or two-thirds of the vote.

&nbsp;Such a majority is needed to start the process of revising Japan's post-World War Two pacifist constitution.&nbsp;

Changing the constitution to enshrine the role of Japan's military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, has been a long-held goal for Abe, who has been prime minister and leader of the LDP since 2012.

Constitutional revisions require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of parliament and a majority in a public referendum.

Upper house elections are held every three years, with members` terms running for six years. The LDP won a landslide victory in 2013 but fared less well in 2016.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition is set to win a solid majority in an upper house election later this week, keeping alive his dream to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, a survey showed on Monday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition is set to win a solid majority in an upper house election later this week, keeping alive his dream to revise Japan's pacifist constitution, a survey showed on Monday. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito together are on track to win as many as 83 seats, well over the 63 seats needed for a majority of the 124 seats to be contested on Sunday, the poll by the Nikkei business daily conducted late last week showed. Similar polls taken by other media outlets, including the Kyodo news agency, showed support for the LDP had increased to 31.0 per cent of all respondents, up 2 percentage points from a similar poll last month. Support for Komeito was unchanged at 5.6 per cent. Such a showing could enable the ruling bloc and other smaller parties including the Japan Innovation Party, which supports constitutional revisions, to maintain their "supermajority", or two-thirds of the vote. Such a majority is needed to start the process of revising Japan's post-World War Two pacifist constitution. Changing the constitution to enshrine the role of Japan's military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, has been a long-held goal for Abe, who has been prime minister and leader of the LDP since 2012. Constitutional revisions require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of parliament and a majority in a public referendum. Upper house elections are held every three years, with members` terms running for six years. The LDP won a landslide victory in 2013 but fared less well in 2016.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc set for solid upper house win: Polls

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-offers-saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-help-in-reducing-oil-dependency-231692">Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe</a>'s coalition is on track to win a solid majority in a July 21 upper house election, and his dream of revising the pacifist constitution could still be alive if enough allies also win, a survey showed on Saturday.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are expected to win more than 63 seats, a majority of the 124 seats contested, the poll taken by the Kyodo news agency on Thursday and Friday showed. They could win as many as 77 seats, it said.

Other surveys, including those taken by the Asahi and Sankei newspapers, also showed Abe's coalition parties with a good chance of winning a majority of the seats up for re-election.

However, many voters are still undecided and the outcome could change.

Upper house elections are held every three years, with members' terms running for six years. The LDP won a landslide victory in 2013 but fared less well in 2016.

Reforms last year increased the number of seats in the upper house by three to 245.

Attention will also focus on whether the ruling bloc, along with the smaller Japan Innovation Party and independents, retains a two-thirds "super majority" needed to revise the post-war pacifist constitution, a long-held goal for Abe.

Abe is highlighting his call to revise the post-war constitution to further legitimise Japan's Self-Defense Forces, as its military is known.

Media reports said pro-revision forces needed to win 85 of the seats being contested to have a two-thirds majority.

A constitutional revision requires approval by two-thirds of both chambers of parliament and a majority in a public referendum.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's coalition is on track to win a solid majority in a July 21 upper house election, and his dream of revising the pacifist constitution could still be alive if enough allies also win, a survey showed on Saturday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's coalition is on track to win a solid majority in a July 21 upper house election, and his dream of revising the pacifist constitution could still be alive if enough allies also win, a survey showed on Saturday. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are expected to win more than 63 seats, a majority of the 124 seats contested, the poll taken by the Kyodo news agency on Thursday and Friday showed. They could win as many as 77 seats, it said. Other surveys, including those taken by the Asahi and Sankei newspapers, also showed Abe's coalition parties with a good chance of winning a majority of the seats up for re-election. However, many voters are still undecided and the outcome could change. Upper house elections are held every three years, with members' terms running for six years. The LDP won a landslide victory in 2013 but fared less well in 2016. Reforms last year increased the number of seats in the upper house by three to 245. Attention will also focus on whether the ruling bloc, along with the smaller Japan Innovation Party and independents, retains a two-thirds "super majority" needed to revise the post-war pacifist constitution, a long-held goal for Abe. Abe is highlighting his call to revise the post-war constitution to further legitimise Japan's Self-Defense Forces, as its military is known. Media reports said pro-revision forces needed to win 85 of the seats being contested to have a two-thirds majority. A constitutional revision requires approval by two-thirds of both chambers of parliament and a majority in a public referendum.

Japan PM Abe's coalition on track to win majority in July 21 election: Media

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved draft legislation on Friday to open the door to more overseas blue-collar workers in sectors grappling with labour shortages, a controversial policy shift in immigration-shy Japan.

Japan's immigration debate is heating up even as US&nbsp;President Donald Trump puts the topic front and centre for next week's Congressional mid-term elections.

Immigration has long been taboo as many Japanese prize ethnic homogeneity, but the reality of an ageing, shrinking population is challenging such views.

Despite misgivings in Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), parliament is likely to adopt the revisions in the face of intense pressure from businesses battling the tightest labour market in decades, although opposition parties could delay.

The revised law would create two new visa categories for foreigners in sectors with labour shortages. While not spelt out, they are expected to be more than a dozen, from farming and construction to hotels and nursing care.

Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita on Thursday ruled out a numerical cap, but media said 500,000 blue-collar workers could be allowed in overtime, up 40 per cent from the 1.28 million foreign workers now forming about 2 per cent of the workforce.

Workers in the first visa category must have a certain level of skills and Japanese language ability. They would not be allowed to bring family members for a stay of up to five years.

But those with higher skills, in the second category, could bring family and eventually get residency.

Japan has grown more accepting of foreign labour but the focus has been on professionals and the highly skilled.

For blue-collar workers, employers mostly rely on a "technical trainees" system and foreign students working part-time, loopholes critics say are abused.

"Today it is quite difficult for foreigners to get ... jobs as security guards," said Shigeki Yawata, security manager at security firm Executive Protection Inc, which has employed non-Japanese for more than a dozen years. "The Olympic Games are coming up and the government is working on inbound tourism, so we would like to have more foreigners, too."

LDP lawmakers signed off on the bill after heated party debate. Many expressed concerns about crime and a negative effect on wages. Opposition politicians accuse the government of undue haste without protecting foreign workers' rights.

"The LDP decision was ... pushed by businesses with a serious shortage of workers," said Toshihiro Menju, managing director of the Japan Center for International Exchange, a think tank.

Abe has said the changes do not constitute an "immigration policy", out of an apparent desire not to upset his conservative backers. Many experts differ.

"I think this is a de facto shift to an immigration policy," Hidenori Sakanaka, a former head of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

The tiny nationalist "Japan First Party" has protested against the changes for reasons such as fears foreigners would inflate welfare rolls and crime rates, it says on its website.

A recent survey by the Yomiuri newspaper, however, showed 51 per cent of Japanese voters favoured letting in more unskilled foreign workers and about 43 per cent backed recognising "immigration" - about the same percentage as those opposed.

"I think it’s a good thing as long as there is a support system for the foreigners," said retiree Yoshio Sai. "I wish they could make more work opportunities for us old people too."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved draft legislation on Friday to open the door to more overseas blue-collar workers in sectors grappling with labour shortages, a controversial policy shift in immigration-shy Japan.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved draft legislation on Friday to open the door to more overseas blue-collar workers in sectors grappling with labour shortages, a controversial policy shift in immigration-shy Japan. Japan's immigration debate is heating up even as US President Donald Trump puts the topic front and centre for next week's Congressional mid-term elections. Immigration has long been taboo as many Japanese prize ethnic homogeneity, but the reality of an ageing, shrinking population is challenging such views. Despite misgivings in Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), parliament is likely to adopt the revisions in the face of intense pressure from businesses battling the tightest labour market in decades, although opposition parties could delay. The revised law would create two new visa categories for foreigners in sectors with labour shortages. While not spelt out, they are expected to be more than a dozen, from farming and construction to hotels and nursing care. Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita on Thursday ruled out a numerical cap, but media said 500,000 blue-collar workers could be allowed in overtime, up 40 per cent from the 1.28 million foreign workers now forming about 2 per cent of the workforce. Workers in the first visa category must have a certain level of skills and Japanese language ability. They would not be allowed to bring family members for a stay of up to five years. But those with higher skills, in the second category, could bring family and eventually get residency. Japan has grown more accepting of foreign labour but the focus has been on professionals and the highly skilled. For blue-collar workers, employers mostly rely on a "technical trainees" system and foreign students working part-time, loopholes critics say are abused. "Today it is quite difficult for foreigners to get ... jobs as security guards," said Shigeki Yawata, security manager at security firm Executive Protection Inc, which has employed non-Japanese for more than a dozen years. "The Olympic Games are coming up and the government is working on inbound tourism, so we would like to have more foreigners, too." LDP lawmakers signed off on the bill after heated party debate. Many expressed concerns about crime and a negative effect on wages. Opposition politicians accuse the government of undue haste without protecting foreign workers' rights. "The LDP decision was ... pushed by businesses with a serious shortage of workers," said Toshihiro Menju, managing director of the Japan Center for International Exchange, a think tank. Abe has said the changes do not constitute an "immigration policy", out of an apparent desire not to upset his conservative backers. Many experts differ. "I think this is a de facto shift to an immigration policy," Hidenori Sakanaka, a former head of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, told Reuters. The tiny nationalist "Japan First Party" has protested against the changes for reasons such as fears foreigners would inflate welfare rolls and crime rates, it says on its website. A recent survey by the Yomiuri newspaper, however, showed 51 per cent of Japanese voters favoured letting in more unskilled foreign workers and about 43 per cent backed recognising "immigration" - about the same percentage as those opposed. "I think it’s a good thing as long as there is a support system for the foreigners," said retiree Yoshio Sai. "I wish they could make more work opportunities for us old people too."

Japan aims to open door for foreign blue-collar workers

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has once again proved that he is a shrewd political strategist who understands Japanese politics better than his rivals. His latest controversial decision to hold snap elections to the House of Representatives one full year earlier than required raised many eyebrows in Japan and many analysts called it a risky gamble.

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<h5>Mr Abe&rsquo;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House.</h5>
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Already enjoying more than two-thirds majority in the House, it was doubted whether he could even retain the existing strength leave alone the question of bettering it. When Abe took the decision to call the snap elections, he thought that it would be the usual &ldquo;rubber stamp elections&rdquo; which he could easily win as he had done in 2014. Though subsequently many developments like the rise of Ms Yuriko Koike as a challenger seemingly created some hiccups. Finally,&nbsp;Mr Abe&rsquo;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House.

This victory, fifth successive win in national elections since 2012, will strengthen Mr Abe&rsquo;s position within his own party and even ensure his re-election as party president for the third term in September 2018 and his continuance as the Prime Minister until 2021. Some of his detractors within the party who could have challenged him now look very much weakened by&nbsp;Mr Abe&rsquo;s victory.

He is likely to be the longest-serving post-war prime minister of Japan. It is to be noted that the next major national election he will face will be in the summer of 2019 which will elect&nbsp;half the members of the House Councilors. It means that he will have ample time to initiate and implement some of his long-cherished goals like amending the Constitution, denuclearisation of North Korea, and enhancing the consumption tax from 8 per cent to 10 per cent by 2019.

In particular, Mr Abe will show utmost circumspection while dealing with the constitutional amendment which has posed the greatest challenge to successive governments in the past. He knows that since the issue can fuel a great deal of heat within the country, he has to move carefully to work out a national consensus before taking any hasty step. Winning 310 odd seats in the elections is not the same as winning the hearts of the people. In fact, many public opinion surveys taken after the election results conveyed the message that about 45-50 per cent of the people surveyed expressed their disagreement with Mr Abe&rsquo;s policies.

The Japanese Constitution lays down that any amendment to the Constitution needs to be approved by the two-thirds majority of both Houses and that it has to be endorsed by the people in a national referendum. Mr Abe knows that post-war Japanese pacifism has been centered on this Article and large segments of Japanese people strongly believe that this provision has given considerable stability to the reemergence of Japan as a strong peace-loving democratic state since 1952.

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<h5>Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership.</h5>
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Mr Abe will respect the strength of the people&rsquo;s sentiments and explore all possibilities to mould a national consensus on the issue. It will take time, but it would need careful handling.&nbsp;For instance, there are many elements in his own party who are not fully convinced about changing the Constitution. Further, his own political ally the Komeito Party has long expressed its reservations to the constitutional amendment. To what extent it is going to cooperate with Mr Abe will remain to be seen. In addition, while seeking to amend the Constitution, he has to give careful considerations to how other Asian neighbouring countries would respond to it.

Finally, the fact that Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. He has been one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral ties since 2006. In particular, his close relations with Mr Narendra Modi have contributed to the deepening of the bilateral partnership since 2014. Mr Abe&rsquo;s recent summit meeting with Mr Modi at Ahmedabad in September 2017 marked a major milestone in their relations.

With Shinzo Abe in power, India-Japan relations will prosper and that will benefit India

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has once again proved that he is a shrewd political strategist who understands Japanese politics better than his rivals. His latest controversial decision to hold snap elections to the House of Representatives one full year earlier than required raised many eyebrows in Japan and many analysts called it a risky gamble. Mr Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House. × Already enjoying more than two-thirds majority in the House, it was doubted whether he could even retain the existing strength leave alone the question of bettering it. When Abe took the decision to call the snap elections, he thought that it would be the usual “rubber stamp elections” which he could easily win as he had done in 2014. Though subsequently many developments like the rise of Ms Yuriko Koike as a challenger seemingly created some hiccups. Finally, Mr Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party- Komeito coalition scored a dramatic victory capturing more than two-thirds majority seats in the Lower House. This victory, fifth successive win in national elections since 2012, will strengthen Mr Abe’s position within his own party and even ensure his re-election as party president for the third term in September 2018 and his continuance as the Prime Minister until 2021. Some of his detractors within the party who could have challenged him now look very much weakened by Mr Abe’s victory. He is likely to be the longest-serving post-war prime minister of Japan. It is to be noted that the next major national election he will face will be in the summer of 2019 which will elect half the members of the House Councilors. It means that he will have ample time to initiate and implement some of his long-cherished goals like amending the Constitution, denuclearisation of North Korea, and enhancing the consumption tax from 8 per cent to 10 per cent by 2019. In particular, Mr Abe will show utmost circumspection while dealing with the constitutional amendment which has posed the greatest challenge to successive governments in the past. He knows that since the issue can fuel a great deal of heat within the country, he has to move carefully to work out a national consensus before taking any hasty step. Winning 310 odd seats in the elections is not the same as winning the hearts of the people. In fact, many public opinion surveys taken after the election results conveyed the message that about 45-50 per cent of the people surveyed expressed their disagreement with Mr Abe’s policies. The Japanese Constitution lays down that any amendment to the Constitution needs to be approved by the two-thirds majority of both Houses and that it has to be endorsed by the people in a national referendum. Mr Abe knows that post-war Japanese pacifism has been centered on this Article and large segments of Japanese people strongly believe that this provision has given considerable stability to the reemergence of Japan as a strong peace-loving democratic state since 1952. Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. × Mr Abe will respect the strength of the people’s sentiments and explore all possibilities to mould a national consensus on the issue. It will take time, but it would need careful handling. For instance, there are many elements in his own party who are not fully convinced about changing the Constitution. Further, his own political ally the Komeito Party has long expressed its reservations to the constitutional amendment. To what extent it is going to cooperate with Mr Abe will remain to be seen. In addition, while seeking to amend the Constitution, he has to give careful considerations to how other Asian neighbouring countries would respond to it. Finally, the fact that Mr Abe is likely to remain in power for four more years augurs well for the rapidly advancing India-Japan partnership. He has been one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral ties since 2006. In particular, his close relations with Mr Narendra Modi have contributed to the deepening of the bilateral partnership since 2014. Mr Abe’s recent summit meeting with Mr Modi at Ahmedabad in September 2017 marked a major milestone in their relations.

What Japan & India stand to gain from Shinzo Abe's victory

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling coalition won a landslide victory on Sunday in an election for Parliament&#39;s upper house, despite concerns about his economic policies and plans to revise the nation&rsquo;s post-war pacifist constitution for the first time. 
 
Final count showed Abe&#39;s coalition, like-minded parties and independents had won the two-thirds &quot;super majority&quot; needed to try to revise the constitution&#39;s restraints on the military, a step that could strain ties with China, where memories of Japan&#39;s past militarism run deep. 
 
Abe&#39;s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fell one short of winning a simple majority, which would have increased its clout within the coalition. Earlier projections had shown it was within their grasp for the first time since 1989. 
 
Nevertheless, the overall victory will still bolster Abe&#39;s grip over the conservative party that he led back to power in 2012 promising to reboot the economy with hyper-easy monetary policy, fiscal spending and reforms. 
 
Abe&#39;s junior coalition partner, Komeito, fared well, winning 14 seats compared with nine before the election. 
 
In Japan, some financial market players fear that trying to amend the constitution could divert Abe&#39;s energy away from reviving the stuttering economy. 
 
&quot;The key question will be whether he can carry out (economic) structural reforms,&quot; said Nobuhiko Kuramochi, chief strategist at Mizuho Securities. &quot;If Abe fails to do so despite the political freedom he has gained, that will be negative for foreign investors&#39; appetite for Japanese stocks.&quot; 
 
Some voters who backed Abe&#39;s LDP also said the economy&#39;s health was their biggest concern. 
 
&quot;Especially since I see economic growth as the priority, I have little hope for the opposition parties,&quot; said Yoshihiko Takeda, a 36-year-old IT company employee. 
 
How big a mandate? 
 
Abe had cast the election as a referendum on &quot;Abenomics&quot;. With signs the strategy is failing, the government plans to compile a post-election stimulus package that could exceed 10 trillion Yen ($99 billion). 
 
Abe declined to say how big the package might be. Economists worry the government will choose big-ticket infrastructure projects rather than implement tough structural reforms. 
 
Abe said he would reshuffle his cabinet but did not say when or how. There has been speculation that Abe might replace finance minister Taro Aso, 75, among others. 
 
His minister for Okinawa, Aiko Shimajiri, lost her seat, along with justice minister Mitsuhide Iwaki. 
 
The loss in Okinawa is a slap at a US-Japan plan to relocate a controversial US-marines airbase on the island, reluctant host to the bulk of America&#39;s military forces in Japan. 
 
Abe said he had won a mandate for his economic policies in the election, although the assertion could be weakened by low turnout. &quot;We were given approval for our mandate to powerfully pursue Abenomics. We&rsquo;d like to continue with our efforts to achieve what we&#39;ve promised,&quot; he said on TV. 
 
Kyodo news agency put turnout at about 54 per cent, a bit above the record low of 52.61 per cent seen in the last upper house poll three years ago. 
 
The opposition Democratic Party linked up with three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, to try to stop the pro-constitutional reform camp getting a super majority. Abe&#39;s coalition already has a super-majority in the lower house. 
 
Conservatives see the constitution as a humiliating symbol of Japan&#39;s defeat in World War II. Its admirers consider it the source of post-war peace and democracy. Revising the charter needs the approval of two-thirds in both houses of parliament and a majority in a public referendum. 
 
&quot;We think the constitution is something that puts limits on power, but sadly, that&#39;s not what the LDP&#39;s (revised draft) does,&quot; Yukio Edano, Democratic Party secretary general, said on TV. &quot;If there is no common agreement on this point, then there is no platform on which we can debate individual articles.&quot; 
 
Surveys show most voters see no need to revise the constitution and the LDP&#39;s dovish coalition partner, Komeito, is reluctant to change its pacifist Article 9. The party&#39;s secretary-general, Yoshihisa Inoue, said on TV that views in the party on possible changes had &quot;not come together&quot; yet. 
 
China&#39;s official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to regional stability. Commentaries by the Xinhua news agency are not formal government statements but often reflect official thinking in China, where memories of Japan&#39;s past militarism still spark outrage. 
 
&quot;With Japan&#39;s pacifist constitution at serious stake and Abe&#39;s power expanding, it is alarming both for Japan&#39;s Asian neighbours, as well as for Japan itself, as Japan&#39;s militarisation will serve to benefit neither side,&quot; the Xinhua commentary said. 
 
Abe said revising the constitution was his Liberal Democratic Party&#39;s (LDP) cherished goal, but forging agreement on changes in the diverse pro-revision camp would not be easy. 
 
Revisions require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and a majority of votes in a public referendum. 
 
&quot;To realise revision of the constitution is my duty as LDP president,&quot; Abe told a news conference. &quot;But it is not that easy, so I hope debate will deepen steadily.&quot; 
 
Experts agreed that building such agreement would be tough. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s the first time to have two-thirds in both houses of parliament, but you can&#39;t find any issue on which the two-thirds can agree,&quot; said Gerry Curtis, professor emeritus at New York&#39;s Columbia University. 
 
Strong Economy, Revised Constitution 
 
Some in financial markets worry a focus on the constitution would drain attention from the economy, but Abe promised on Monday to craft a large stimulus package. 
 
&quot;A public referendum is needed so he must boost support to advance revision. So for constitutional change as well, he will probably come up with a large-scale economic package,&quot; said Daiji Aoki, senior economist at UBS Securities Japan. 
 
Doubts about Abe&#39;s policies persist even though his ruling bloc won big in terms of the number of seats. Many voters felt they had no other option, given memories of the main opposition Democratic Party&#39;s rocky 2009-2012 rule. Others stayed home. 
 
Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of changing the constitution&#39;s war-renouncing Article 9, which advocates see as the source of Japan&#39;s post-war peace and democracy. Conservatives see it as a symbol of humiliating defeat. 
 
If taken literally, Article 9 bans the maintenance of armed forces. Successive governments have interpreted it to allow a military for self-defence, a concept Abe last year stretched to allow Japan&#39;s military to aid friendly nations under attack. 
 
Formal revision of Article 9 would likely be largely symbolic - though nonetheless historic. 
 
Convincing the Komeito party, the dovish junior partner in Abe&#39;s LDP-led coalition, to agree would be challenging. The pro-revision camp might therefore tackle another amendment first. 
 
One possibility is a clause giving the government more power in a national emergency, a move critics say would curtail civil rights. 
 
Another option, floated by the Komeito, would be to add an environmental protection clause. That less contentious step would nonetheless break the political taboo on revision. 
 
It is unclear whether that would satisfy Abe&#39;s political base. 
 
&quot;Conservatives see the constitution as emasculating the nation,&quot; said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo. 
 
&quot;If I&#39;m in his camp, I&#39;m thinking, this may be my best shot.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

China's official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to Japan's Asian neighbours and to Japan itself

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition won a landslide victory on Sunday in an election for Parliament's upper house, despite concerns about his economic policies and plans to revise the nation’s post-war pacifist constitution for the first time. Final count showed Abe's coalition, like-minded parties and independents had won the two-thirds "super majority" needed to try to revise the constitution's restraints on the military, a step that could strain ties with China, where memories of Japan's past militarism run deep. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) fell one short of winning a simple majority, which would have increased its clout within the coalition. Earlier projections had shown it was within their grasp for the first time since 1989. Nevertheless, the overall victory will still bolster Abe's grip over the conservative party that he led back to power in 2012 promising to reboot the economy with hyper-easy monetary policy, fiscal spending and reforms. Abe's junior coalition partner, Komeito, fared well, winning 14 seats compared with nine before the election. In Japan, some financial market players fear that trying to amend the constitution could divert Abe's energy away from reviving the stuttering economy. "The key question will be whether he can carry out (economic) structural reforms," said Nobuhiko Kuramochi, chief strategist at Mizuho Securities. "If Abe fails to do so despite the political freedom he has gained, that will be negative for foreign investors' appetite for Japanese stocks." Some voters who backed Abe's LDP also said the economy's health was their biggest concern. "Especially since I see economic growth as the priority, I have little hope for the opposition parties," said Yoshihiko Takeda, a 36-year-old IT company employee. How big a mandate? Abe had cast the election as a referendum on "Abenomics". With signs the strategy is failing, the government plans to compile a post-election stimulus package that could exceed 10 trillion Yen ($99 billion). Abe declined to say how big the package might be. Economists worry the government will choose big-ticket infrastructure projects rather than implement tough structural reforms. Abe said he would reshuffle his cabinet but did not say when or how. There has been speculation that Abe might replace finance minister Taro Aso, 75, among others. His minister for Okinawa, Aiko Shimajiri, lost her seat, along with justice minister Mitsuhide Iwaki. The loss in Okinawa is a slap at a US-Japan plan to relocate a controversial US-marines airbase on the island, reluctant host to the bulk of America's military forces in Japan. Abe said he had won a mandate for his economic policies in the election, although the assertion could be weakened by low turnout. "We were given approval for our mandate to powerfully pursue Abenomics. We’d like to continue with our efforts to achieve what we've promised," he said on TV. Kyodo news agency put turnout at about 54 per cent, a bit above the record low of 52.61 per cent seen in the last upper house poll three years ago. The opposition Democratic Party linked up with three smaller parties, including the Japanese Communist Party, to try to stop the pro-constitutional reform camp getting a super majority. Abe's coalition already has a super-majority in the lower house. Conservatives see the constitution as a humiliating symbol of Japan's defeat in World War II. Its admirers consider it the source of post-war peace and democracy. Revising the charter needs the approval of two-thirds in both houses of parliament and a majority in a public referendum. "We think the constitution is something that puts limits on power, but sadly, that's not what the LDP's (revised draft) does," Yukio Edano, Democratic Party secretary general, said on TV. "If there is no common agreement on this point, then there is no platform on which we can debate individual articles." Surveys show most voters see no need to revise the constitution and the LDP's dovish coalition partner, Komeito, is reluctant to change its pacifist Article 9. The party's secretary-general, Yoshihisa Inoue, said on TV that views in the party on possible changes had "not come together" yet. China's official agency quickly warned that the victory posed a danger to regional stability. Commentaries by the Xinhua news agency are not formal government statements but often reflect official thinking in China, where memories of Japan's past militarism still spark outrage. "With Japan's pacifist constitution at serious stake and Abe's power expanding, it is alarming both for Japan's Asian neighbours, as well as for Japan itself, as Japan's militarisation will serve to benefit neither side," the Xinhua commentary said. Abe said revising the constitution was his Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) cherished goal, but forging agreement on changes in the diverse pro-revision camp would not be easy. Revisions require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament and a majority of votes in a public referendum. "To realise revision of the constitution is my duty as LDP president," Abe told a news conference. "But it is not that easy, so I hope debate will deepen steadily." Experts agreed that building such agreement would be tough. "It's the first time to have two-thirds in both houses of parliament, but you can't find any issue on which the two-thirds can agree," said Gerry Curtis, professor emeritus at New York's Columbia University. Strong Economy, Revised Constitution Some in financial markets worry a focus on the constitution would drain attention from the economy, but Abe promised on Monday to craft a large stimulus package. "A public referendum is needed so he must boost support to advance revision. So for constitutional change as well, he will probably come up with a large-scale economic package," said Daiji Aoki, senior economist at UBS Securities Japan. Doubts about Abe's policies persist even though his ruling bloc won big in terms of the number of seats. Many voters felt they had no other option, given memories of the main opposition Democratic Party's rocky 2009-2012 rule. Others stayed home. Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of changing the constitution's war-renouncing Article 9, which advocates see as the source of Japan's post-war peace and democracy. Conservatives see it as a symbol of humiliating defeat. If taken literally, Article 9 bans the maintenance of armed forces. Successive governments have interpreted it to allow a military for self-defence, a concept Abe last year stretched to allow Japan's military to aid friendly nations under attack. Formal revision of Article 9 would likely be largely symbolic - though nonetheless historic. Convincing the Komeito party, the dovish junior partner in Abe's LDP-led coalition, to agree would be challenging. The pro-revision camp might therefore tackle another amendment first. One possibility is a clause giving the government more power in a national emergency, a move critics say would curtail civil rights. Another option, floated by the Komeito, would be to add an environmental protection clause. That less contentious step would nonetheless break the political taboo on revision. It is unclear whether that would satisfy Abe's political base. "Conservatives see the constitution as emasculating the nation," said Jeffrey Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo. "If I'm in his camp, I'm thinking, this may be my best shot." (Reuters)

Abe wins upper house poll but says changing pacifist constitution not easy

Japanese voters headed to the polls today to cast their ballot in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling party expected to cruise to victory despite lukewarm support. 
 
Abe, in power since late 2012, has yet to achieve a strong recovery in the world&#39;s third-largest economy nor his cherished goal of removing a war-renouncing clause from Japan&#39;s US-imposed constitution. 
 
But voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost his party and its conservative allies, due mostly to a lack of faith in the opposition. 
 
Today&#39;s vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday). 
 
The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm. 
 
Having been largely written off after a failed 2006-2007 stint as prime minister, Abe got a rare second chance when a left-leaning government collapsed in late 2012. 
 
He promised to end debilitating deflation through massive easy money and other steps -- so-called Abenomics -- while beefing up Japan&#39;s defence, promoting conservative values and vowing to revise the constitution. 
 
Initial results were favourable with stocks soaring and businesses reaping record profits as the yen fell, making Japanese companies more competitive. 
 
But the world&#39;s third-largest economy has since lurched from growth to contraction, with weak consumer inflation still weighing on sentiment. 
 
Voters backing Abe due to lack of alternatives&nbsp; 
 
In a poll last week, 41 per cent said they disapproved of Abe&#39;s economic policies, but support his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a less-than-resounding 37 per cent, far outpaced 11 per cent for the main opposition Democratic Party. 
 
&quot;As in past elections, voters are likely to passively endorse the Abe administration due to a lack of alternatives,&quot; said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. 
 
A wildcard this time is that Japan&#39;s voting age has been lowered from 20 to 18 to encourage young people to take part in politics but how they will vote, and in what numbers, remains to be seen. 
 
Abe is hoping that the coalition and a loose group of hawkish conservatives from smaller parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the strength to start amending the constitution. 
 
The document, which renounces Japan&#39;s right to wage war, is deplored by nationalists as a relic from Japan&#39;s World War II defeat. 
 
Still, many Japanese staunchly embrace its pacifist ideal. 
 
But any legislation that mustered the two-thirds majorities needed to pass both houses would face another hurdle in the form of a national referendum. 
 
 
Things to know: Japan&#39;s upper house election

<ul>
	<li>What is the upper house?</li>
</ul>
The House of Councillors, as it is formally known, is the smaller and less powerful side of Japan&#39;s bicameral legislature, or Diet. 
 
Its 242 members serve six-year terms, with elections every three years for half the seats.
<ul>
	<li>What does it do?</li>
</ul>
The body is designed for careful deliberation, somewhat similar to the US Senate, but lacks the power and prestige. 
 
Most legislation must pass it to become law, however its decisions can be overturned by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, though that rarely happens.
<ul>
	<li>Who can run and vote?</li>
</ul>
Japanese citizens over the age of 30 can run. Upper house elections tend to attract candidates with national fame, such as television personalities and athletes, regardless of their political experience and policy chops. 
 
For the first time, anyone over the age of 18 can vote. Previously the voting age was 20.
<ul>
	<li>What are the key issues?</li>
</ul>
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a member of the lower house, is not up for election. But voters will consider his steerage of the economy, which has yet to result in as robust a recovery as promised. 
 
His ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and other conservatives are aiming to gain enough seats to control two-thirds of the upper house, part of their controversial goal to amend Japan&#39;s war-renouncing constitution.
<ul>
	<li>What is the likely result?</li>
</ul>
The jury remains out on the prime minister&#39;s unconventional &quot;Abenomics&quot; economic policies in place for over 3 1/2 years, while many voters appear wary of revising the pacifist constitution. 
 
But burned by an unpopular 2009-2012 left-leaning government, voters are likely to stick to the status quo, with surveys pointing to Abe and his allies cruising to victory. 
 
Voters have in the past, however, used upper house elections to punish the ruling party. In 1998, then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned when the LDP fared poorly after a consumption tax increase delivered a body blow to the economy. 
 
Abe is highly likely to avoid such a fate as he recently announced a delay in a planned tax increase. 
 
 
(AFP)

Voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost Abe's party and its conservative allies, mostly due to a lack of faith in the opposition

Japanese voters headed to the polls today to cast their ballot in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party expected to cruise to victory despite lukewarm support. Abe, in power since late 2012, has yet to achieve a strong recovery in the world's third-largest economy nor his cherished goal of removing a war-renouncing clause from Japan's US-imposed constitution. But voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost his party and its conservative allies, due mostly to a lack of faith in the opposition. Today's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday). The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm. Having been largely written off after a failed 2006-2007 stint as prime minister, Abe got a rare second chance when a left-leaning government collapsed in late 2012. He promised to end debilitating deflation through massive easy money and other steps -- so-called Abenomics -- while beefing up Japan's defence, promoting conservative values and vowing to revise the constitution. Initial results were favourable with stocks soaring and businesses reaping record profits as the yen fell, making Japanese companies more competitive. But the world's third-largest economy has since lurched from growth to contraction, with weak consumer inflation still weighing on sentiment. Voters backing Abe due to lack of alternatives In a poll last week, 41 per cent said they disapproved of Abe's economic policies, but support his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a less-than-resounding 37 per cent, far outpaced 11 per cent for the main opposition Democratic Party. "As in past elections, voters are likely to passively endorse the Abe administration due to a lack of alternatives," said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. A wildcard this time is that Japan's voting age has been lowered from 20 to 18 to encourage young people to take part in politics but how they will vote, and in what numbers, remains to be seen. Abe is hoping that the coalition and a loose group of hawkish conservatives from smaller parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the strength to start amending the constitution. The document, which renounces Japan's right to wage war, is deplored by nationalists as a relic from Japan's World War II defeat. Still, many Japanese staunchly embrace its pacifist ideal. But any legislation that mustered the two-thirds majorities needed to pass both houses would face another hurdle in the form of a national referendum. Things to know: Japan's upper house election What is the upper house? The House of Councillors, as it is formally known, is the smaller and less powerful side of Japan's bicameral legislature, or Diet. Its 242 members serve six-year terms, with elections every three years for half the seats. What does it do? The body is designed for careful deliberation, somewhat similar to the US Senate, but lacks the power and prestige. Most legislation must pass it to become law, however its decisions can be overturned by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, though that rarely happens. Who can run and vote? Japanese citizens over the age of 30 can run. Upper house elections tend to attract candidates with national fame, such as television personalities and athletes, regardless of their political experience and policy chops. For the first time, anyone over the age of 18 can vote. Previously the voting age was 20. What are the key issues? Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a member of the lower house, is not up for election. But voters will consider his steerage of the economy, which has yet to result in as robust a recovery as promised. His ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and other conservatives are aiming to gain enough seats to control two-thirds of the upper house, part of their controversial goal to amend Japan's war-renouncing constitution. What is the likely result? The jury remains out on the prime minister's unconventional "Abenomics" economic policies in place for over 3 1/2 years, while many voters appear wary of revising the pacifist constitution. But burned by an unpopular 2009-2012 left-leaning government, voters are likely to stick to the status quo, with surveys pointing to Abe and his allies cruising to victory. Voters have in the past, however, used upper house elections to punish the ruling party. In 1998, then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned when the LDP fared poorly after a consumption tax increase delivered a body blow to the economy. Abe is highly likely to avoid such a fate as he recently announced a delay in a planned tax increase. (AFP)

Japan votes in upper house election

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