Japan’s ruling wins big in polls after Abe’s assassination

Tokyo | Japan’s ruling party and its coalition spouse scored a primary victory in a significant parliamentary election on Sunday after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid uncertainty over how his loss can only unite the party.

The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, increased their combined percentage in the chamber from 248 seats to 146, well above the majority, in elections for some of the seats in the least tough chamber.

Fumio Kishida, moment from the left, places ribbons on the names of the candidates, to imply a victory in the election of the house. Bloomberg

With the momentum, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will govern without interruption until elections scheduled for 2025.

This would allow Kishida to paint on long-term policies such as national security, his signature and yet an economic policy of “new capitalism” and his party’s long-cherished goal of amending the post-war pacifist charter drafted by the United States.

A proposal to replace the charter is now a possibility. With the assistance of two opposition parties in favor of a card replacement, the ruling bloc now has a two-thirds majority in the chamber needed to propose an amendment, making it a realistic possibility. The ruling bloc has already won that of the other chamber.

Mr Kishida praised the victory of the primaries but did not smile, given the loss of Mr. Abe and the daunting task of unifying his party without him. In media interviews on Sunday night, Mr Kishida repeated: “The unity of the party is more than anything else. “. “

He said responses to COVID-19, russia’s invasion of Ukraine and emerging costs will be his priorities. He said it would also boost Japan’s national security, as well as a constitutional amendment.

Mr Kishida and the party’s most sensible lawmakers observed a minute’s silence for Mr Abe at the party’s election headquarters before placing the victory ribbons on the blackboard next to the names of the candidates who won their seats.

Abe, 67, was shot dead friday while giving a speech about the crusade in the western city of Nara and died of heavy bleeding. of the LDP while leading its largest faction, Seiwakai.

“This may simply be a turning point” for the LDP in its divisive policies on gender equality, same-sex marriage and other issues that had been resisted by Abe-backed ultraconservatives with paternalistic values from the family circle, said Mitsuru Fukuda, a member of crisis control. professor at Nihon University.

Japan’s existing diplomatic and security position will be influenced, as M. you have already made basic adjustments. His ultra-nationalist perspectives and pragmatic policies have made him a divisive figure for many, in addition to Korea and China.

After the assassination, Sunday’s vote took on new meaning, with all Japanese political leaders underlining the importance of freedom of expression and the protection of democracy from acts of violence.

Mr. Abe’s killing would possibly have resulted in sympathy votes. Sunday’s turnout was around 52%, about three times higher than the previous 48. 8% in 2019.

“It’s incredibly significant that we proceeded with the election,” the man said Sunday. Kishida. ” Our effort to protect democracy continues. “

A memorial site outside Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara, where Shinzo Abe fired. Getty

On the last day of the crusade on Saturday, party leaders refrained from clashing fists and other friendly gestures in close contact with the public, a sign of heightened security after Abe was killed at a crusade rally.

Mr. Abe’s frame led the house to Tokyo’s upscale Shibuya neighborhood, where many mourners, in addition to Mr. Kishida and senior party officials, paid tribute. His wake and funeral are expected in the coming days.

On Sunday, the suspect accused of his murder was taken to the local prosecutor’s office for further investigation, and a senior regional police official said possible security breaches had allowed the shooter to manipulate Mr. Abe and shoot him with his homemade weapon.

The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, told investigators he acted because of Mr. M. ‘s alleged connection. Obsessed and that bankrupted a circle of family businesses, according to media reports, some of which knew the organization as the Unification Church.

Nara Prefectural Police Chief Tomoaki Onizuka said Saturday that security considerations were undeniable, that he took the shooting seriously and would review security procedures.

Abe resigned two years ago, blaming the recurrence of ulcerative colitis he had suffered from as a teenager. He said he regretted leaving many of his goals unfinished, adding that he revised Japan’s war-renouncing constitution. While some conservatives see the post-World War II letter as a humiliation, the public is more supportive of the document.

Abe was trained to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. His political rhetoric was aimed at making Japan a “normal” and “beautiful” country with a more powerful military through a security alliance with the United States and greater prominence in foreign affairs.

He became Japan’s youngest prime minister in 2006, at the age of 52. But his first overly nationalist term ended a year later, also because of his health, prompting six years of annual replacement of the leadership.

He returned to strength in 2012, promising to revitalize the country and pull its economy out of its deflationary depression with his “Abenomics” formula, which combines fiscal stimulus, financial easing and structural reforms. He won six national elections and managed to control the force.

Japan is known for its strict gun laws. With a population of 125 million, there were only 21 cases of firearms-related offenders in 2020, according to the most recent government crime document. parts like gasoline, suggesting increased risks for others involved in mass attacks.

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