Japan's PM Shinzo Abe counts on landslide victory in election

[bananas]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reported to be counting on a landslide victory in Sunday's parliamentary election despite expected low voter turnout.

It's projected his ruling coalition could return to power with an even bigger majority, giving him the power to pursue an ambitious agenda of political and economic reforms.

With Japan's economy back in recession, the government's popularity ratings have dropped. Election campaign finance scandals have also affected Abe's Cabinet.

However, the prime minister is still the main candidate for the leadership because of Japan's leaning towards a one-party political system, historic voter apathy, and a lack of alternatives.

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Read more: http://www.dw.de/japans-pm-shinzo-abe-counts-on-landslide-victory-in-election/a-18127667

[davidpdx]

1. With the number of elderly in Japan, they'll get it too

Japan has their own teabag party that spread historical inaccuracies about the US and Korea. Unfortunately South Korea has the same problem with the elderly voting conservative, which the conservatives pander to them to get the vote. Until the older generations let go, the neo-con conservatives like Abe and Park will continue to destroy the economies of the two countries..

[blkmusclmachine]

2. leaning towards a one-party political system, historic voter apathy, and a lack of alternatives.

Just like the United States.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Japan election: Exit polls project landslide win for Shinzo Abe

Exit polls suggest that the party of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has secured a large majority in the country's parliamentary elections.
...
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.

Preliminary results are expected at midnight local time (15:00 GMT).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30444230

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Japan election: Comfortable win for the ruling coalition

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has won a decisive victory in Sunday's elections to the lower house of the Japanese parliament.

Together with its coalition partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party, the new government has secured a super majority of 326 seats in the 475-strong House of Representatives.

The LDP's individual strong performance, securing some 291 seats in all - although a four-seat reduction on its pre-election standing of 295 - is a vindication of Mr Abe's gamble in late November of calling a snap election.
...
But the outcome represents less of an unambiguous vote of support for the administration and more of a strong sign of popular disillusionment with mainstream politics, and doubts regarding the effectiveness of Japan's opposition parties, most notably the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30474278