Japan’s Abe claims victory in parliamentary electionsJuly 11, 2016 - 11:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed victory Sunday, July 10 for his ruling coalition in parliamentary elections, which came despite lukewarm public support for his economic policies and wariness over amending the country's pacifist constitution, AFP reports. Abe, in power since late 2012, has yet to achieve a strong recovery in the world's third-largest economy through unconventional measures centred on massive easy money and other steps -- so-called Abenomics. Voters have also expressed misgivings about his cherished dream of making changes to the country's constitution, imposed by the United States after Japan's defeat in World War II and which prohibits it from waging war. But his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Buddhist-backed Komeito gained as public confidence in the ability of opposition parties was even lower, AFP says. Abe seized on the election results for half the seats in parliament's upper house as a vote of confidence. "I'm relieved that we were able to secure more than... half the seats contested," he told private broadcaster TBS television about two hours after polls closed at 8 pm (1100 GMT). "I think (voters) told us to firmly accelerate Abenomics." The LDP and Komeito were set to take at least 66 of the 121 seats up for grabs -- half the chamber's total -- up from 59 previously, public broadcaster NHK said. Its projection and similar estimates by other media were based on incoming results and their own analysis. Final numbers were not expected until Monday at the earliest but the trend was clear. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |