Prime Minister Abe said his victory in national elections had hardened his resolve to "firmly deal" with North Korea after its recent nuclear and missile tests that angered Pacific region neighbors and prompted extra UN sanctions.

"For that, strong diplomacy is required," said Abe, who has courted both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in past months.

The prime minister had called a snap election in order to strengthen his mandate to deal with threats to Japan, including that of North Korea.

As results emerged, a Cabinet spokesman said Abe and Trump had spoken by telephone and agreed to raise pressure on Pyongyang.

Near complete projections showed Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and junior coalition partner Komeito on course to win at least 312 seats in the 465-seat lower chamber of parliament.

Exit poll predictions suggest Abe was justified in calling the election at a time of plummeting popularity

What the result means

The two-thirds majority would allow Abe to proceed with debate he has long sought on amending Japan's post-World War II pacifist constitution.

It also means a likely continuation of the policies Abe has pursued since taking office in 2012, including:

a hard stance toward North Korea

close ties with the US, including in matters of defense

a liberal economic policy favoring nuclear energy

The future of Japan's constitution, explained Postwar constitution Drafted in the wake of Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, the Japanese constitution established democratic processes, enshrined the role of the Emperor and ensured the country's pacifist nature. But decades have passed since its non-Japanese writers hashed out Japan's political future. A new wave has emerged, pushing for the recognition of Japan's right to maintain a standing military.

The future of Japan's constitution, explained Article 9: 'Forever renounce war' Article 9 of Japan's constitution enshrines the country's pacifist nature. The first part of the article states that "Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation," while the second stipulates it will not maintain military. But Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has proposed revising parts of the constitution that forbid the country from maintaining a standing military.

The future of Japan's constitution, explained The question of recognition While Japan's constitution forbids the country maintain a standing military, it nonetheless has one of the best-equipped militaries in the world. Tokyo justifies the existence of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) to defend the nation in the event it ever comes under attack. But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to change that by amending the constitution to codify the status quo.

The future of Japan's constitution, explained Checks, balances and referendums While Abe has the two-thirds majority in parliament to vote through constitutional changes, he vowed not to do so. In order to amend the constitution – which has never occurred since its inception – both legislative chambers need to pass it with two-thirds of the vote. Afterwards, it is put to a national referendum, which only requires a simple majority in favor for it to be accepted.

The future of Japan's constitution, explained Pacifist ideals endure While public opinion is split on whether to revise the constitution, few voters see it as a priority. Most polls have shown that Japanese voters want to keep the country's pacifist ideals as they are enshrined in the constitution. In a poll for the top-selling Yomiuri newspaper, only 35 percent of respondents wanted Abe to recognize Japan's military, while 42 percent said they opposed the idea.

The future of Japan's constitution, explained Political divide Even with support from his party and like-minded conservatives, Abe faces many hurdles to execute his vision. There are even differences among pro-change lawmakers on what the changes might look like. But that hasn't fazed Abe. "I have renewed my determination to secure people's lives and peaceful living, no matter what," said Abe after his party's victory at the polls. Author: Lewis Sanders IV



Tokyo's benchmark share market extended its record streak by 1 percent on Monday, reflecting Abe's trademark "Abenomics" strategy of loose monetary policy and high government spending – despite doubts held by many voters.

Abe had vowed to use a planned sales tax hike to fund free child care and thereby encourage more women to enter Japan's workforce.

"I think the results reflected the voters' preference for a solid political foundation and their expectations for us to push polices forward and achieve results," Abe told national broadcaster NHK.

The victory boosts Abe's prospects of securing another three-year term as leader of the LDP next September. This could extend his reign as prime minister until 2021, which would make him Japan's longest-serving head of government.

Turnout was just 54 percent as Japan was hit by a typhoon on election day

A weakened opposition

National media such as the Asahi newspaper attributed Abe's win to a weak opposition and lack of convincing rivals. Some 51 percent of voters distrusted Abe, according to a survey run by Kyoto News.

"People are reluctant about Prime Minister Abe, but then who would you turn to? There is no one," said Tokyo Gakushuin University professor Naoto Nonaka.

Heading the opposition with at least 54 seats will be the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) led by former chief Cabinet secretary Yukio Edano.

Tokyo mayor Yuriko Koike addresses crowds on election night

Projected to be on 49 seats was the opposition Party of Hope, formed by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike only weeks before the poll.

Speaking from Paris, where she was attending consultations between big cities, Koike described her party's result as "very severe" and said she took full responsibility.

ipj/rt (AFP, Reuters, dpa)