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Japan election: Shinzo Abe set for landslide win - exit polls | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Exit polls suggest that the party of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has secured a large majority in the country's parliamentary elections. | Exit polls suggest that the party of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has secured a large majority in the country's parliamentary elections. |
Mr Abe had called a snap poll to boost support for his economic reforms. | Mr Abe had called a snap poll to boost support for his economic reforms. |
He was elected in 2012 and has tried to revive the economy by raising public spending and printing money. | He was elected in 2012 and has tried to revive the economy by raising public spending and printing money. |
After an initial burst of growth, Japan slipped back into recession in the second half of this year. | After an initial burst of growth, Japan slipped back into recession in the second half of this year. |
"I believe the public approved of two years of our 'Abenomics' policies," Mr Abe said in an interview. | |
"But that doesn't mean we can be complacent." | |
He added: "My 'Abenomics' policies are still only half-way done. | |
"I am aware that there are still a lot of people who are still not feeling the benefits. But it's my duty to bring [benefits] to those very people, and I believe this election made that clear." | |
Among his pledges, Mr Abe vowed to help more Japanese women enter and remain in employment by tightening anti-discrimination laws and setting employment targets. | |
'Positive evaluation' | 'Positive evaluation' |
Despite exit polls showing Mr Abe's conservative Liberal Democratic Party ahead, analysts said it would probably fall short of a two-thirds majority - meaning it was likely to remain in coalition with junior partner Komeito. | Despite exit polls showing Mr Abe's conservative Liberal Democratic Party ahead, analysts said it would probably fall short of a two-thirds majority - meaning it was likely to remain in coalition with junior partner Komeito. |
Reports said turnout at polling stations was low due to voter apathy and heavy snowfall. The government said turnout was at just 35%, two hours before polls closed. | Reports said turnout at polling stations was low due to voter apathy and heavy snowfall. The government said turnout was at just 35%, two hours before polls closed. |
Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank, but it has struggled in recent years. | Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank, but it has struggled in recent years. |
What is Abenomics? | What is Abenomics? |
Shinzo Abe's economic policy, launched in 2013, was so wide-ranging that it was named after him. It was designed to help pull Japan out of two decades of deflation and kick-start its stagnant economy. | |
It involved three main proposals: printing vast amounts of money to boost Japan's purchase of government bonds by the equivalent of about 10% of Japan's annual gross domestic product (monetary policy), sharply increasing government spending to help spur growth (fiscal stimulus) and reforming key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and energy (structural reform). | It involved three main proposals: printing vast amounts of money to boost Japan's purchase of government bonds by the equivalent of about 10% of Japan's annual gross domestic product (monetary policy), sharply increasing government spending to help spur growth (fiscal stimulus) and reforming key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and energy (structural reform). |
Economic growth briefly returned, helped by a weaker yen that boosted exporters, but 18 months on, Japan's economy is back in recession, and support for Mr Abe has been dwindling. | Economic growth briefly returned, helped by a weaker yen that boosted exporters, but 18 months on, Japan's economy is back in recession, and support for Mr Abe has been dwindling. |
Are women the answer to Japan's broken economy? | Are women the answer to Japan's broken economy? |
He has also promised to amend the law to allow the Japanese military to engage in collective self-defence alongside allies who are threatened. | He has also promised to amend the law to allow the Japanese military to engage in collective self-defence alongside allies who are threatened. |
Economists say an increase in sales tax from 5% to 8% in April knocked consumer spending and helped to halt growth. | Economists say an increase in sales tax from 5% to 8% in April knocked consumer spending and helped to halt growth. |
The tax increase was legislated by the previous government in 2012 to curb Japan's huge public debt, which is the highest among developed nations. | The tax increase was legislated by the previous government in 2012 to curb Japan's huge public debt, which is the highest among developed nations. |
Mr Abe called the election to seek a mandate to delay a second increase in the tax to 10%, scheduled for 2015. | Mr Abe called the election to seek a mandate to delay a second increase in the tax to 10%, scheduled for 2015. |
Voters were choosing who sits in the 475-seat lower house of Japan's parliament, the Diet. | Voters were choosing who sits in the 475-seat lower house of Japan's parliament, the Diet. |
Several surveys in recent weeks had pointed to a win for Mr Abe's party. | Several surveys in recent weeks had pointed to a win for Mr Abe's party. |
Observers said this was partly due to the lack of a real political alternative, with the opposition in disarray. | Observers said this was partly due to the lack of a real political alternative, with the opposition in disarray. |
The Banri Kaieda-led opposition Democratic Party is expected to pick up a handful of seats, but not enough to affect the parliamentary balance. | The Banri Kaieda-led opposition Democratic Party is expected to pick up a handful of seats, but not enough to affect the parliamentary balance. |
A total of 1,191 candidates are competing for 475 seats. | A total of 1,191 candidates are competing for 475 seats. |