World NewsPolitics and Government shinzo abeLiberal Democratic Party Japan

Japan PM Shinzo Abe Poised To Win 3rd Term

He is on course to become the country's longest-serving leader.
Associated Press
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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) celebrates after the ruling liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election at the party's headquarters in Tokyo.
MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been re-elected as head of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in a landslide, paving the way for up to three more years as the nation’s leader.

Abe handily defeated his sole challenger, Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister.

Thursday’s decisive victory may embolden him to pursue his long-sought revision to Japan’s U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution, although the hurdles remain high and doing so would carry political risks.

The 63-year-old Abe has been prime minister since December 2012. He has cemented control of his party and received support from conservatives for bringing stability and continuity to economic and diplomatic policies. With a third term as party leader, Abe is poised to become Japan’s longest-serving leader in August 2021.

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