AP, Tokyo :
Shinzo Abe was re-elected by Japan’s parliament on Wednesday to serve another term as prime minister after winning a renewed mandate for his “Abenomics” strategies that helped revive the world’s third-biggest economy.
Abe appointed a former military officer, Gen Nakatani, as defense minister, but kept the other members of his previous Cabinet. They take office later in the day after donning formal attire for a ceremonial presentation to Emperor Akihito.
Abe won 328 votes out of the 470 cast by lawmakers in a special session of the lower house. Since the ruling Liberal Democrats hold 326 lower house seats, two other lawmakers also cast votes for Abe.
The victory by the Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner the Komei Party was viewed as an endorsement by the public of Abe’s strategies for reviving Japan’s stagnant economy, despite a record-low voter turnout in the Dec. 14 elections.
Nakatani’s predecessor, Akinori Eto, was one of several ministers whose political funding reports were questioned by opposition lawmakers during the recent parliamentary session. Two resigned their Cabinet posts but were re-elected anyway.
Analysts said Eto’s handling of the questions was seen as too weak, and that Abe needed a stronger figure to help handle anticipated fierce questioning over defense-related issues in the next year’s parliamentary debate.
Nakatani, a graduate of the National Defense Academy, attained a rank of first lieutenant before leaving the military.
Shinzo Abe was re-elected by Japan’s parliament on Wednesday to serve another term as prime minister after winning a renewed mandate for his “Abenomics” strategies that helped revive the world’s third-biggest economy.
Abe appointed a former military officer, Gen Nakatani, as defense minister, but kept the other members of his previous Cabinet. They take office later in the day after donning formal attire for a ceremonial presentation to Emperor Akihito.
Abe won 328 votes out of the 470 cast by lawmakers in a special session of the lower house. Since the ruling Liberal Democrats hold 326 lower house seats, two other lawmakers also cast votes for Abe.
The victory by the Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner the Komei Party was viewed as an endorsement by the public of Abe’s strategies for reviving Japan’s stagnant economy, despite a record-low voter turnout in the Dec. 14 elections.
Nakatani’s predecessor, Akinori Eto, was one of several ministers whose political funding reports were questioned by opposition lawmakers during the recent parliamentary session. Two resigned their Cabinet posts but were re-elected anyway.
Analysts said Eto’s handling of the questions was seen as too weak, and that Abe needed a stronger figure to help handle anticipated fierce questioning over defense-related issues in the next year’s parliamentary debate.
Nakatani, a graduate of the National Defense Academy, attained a rank of first lieutenant before leaving the military.
