Abe to serve another term as Japan’s Prime Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - Shinzo Abe won endorsement Wednesday, Dec 24, to serve another term as Prime Minister after winning a renewed mandate for his "Abenomics" strategies for reviving the world's third-biggest economy, the Associated Press reports.

Abe was expected to appoint a former military officer, Gen Nakatani, as defense minister but to keep the other members of his previous cabinet. They were due to 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 Wednesday. Since the ruling Liberal Democrats hold 326 lower house seats, two other lawmakers also cast votes for Abe.

The victory by the ruling 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 turnout, the AP says.

Two years after he first took office, Abe faces strong expectations for more aggressively tackling politically tough reforms for boosting the economy. Abe also served as prime minister in 2006-2007 before quitting due to health problems.

The economy fell into recession last year following a sales tax hike in April to 8 percent from 5 percent, prompting Abe to put off until 2017 a tax hike planned for October 2015.