The New Indian Express By

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’ s gamble in ordering a snap poll has paid off. A low turnout on account of severe snowfall conditions in much of Japan and the absence of a credible rival have helped his Liberal Democratic Party and its junior Komeito secure a two-thirds majority in the Lower House of Parliament. He will no longer be hamstrung by the lack of majority in the Upper House to carry forward his ambitious political plans. His third term as PM is keenly awaited for he is expected to push forward Abenomics, the basis of which is flooding the market with money, strengthening private corporations to create jobs and higher government spending.

Abe’s economic plans had not yielded the desired results and his popularity was on the wane when he called for elections. He wanted to take his country to those days when annual two-digit growth rates were the norm brightening hopes that it might climb to the position of the world’s largest economy. Far from that, it has been pushed down to the third position by China. His return to power may not inspire confidence among a section of the Japanese and foreign powers who look askance at his plans to amend the pacifist constitution. Though the two-thirds majority will help him to rewrite the constitution, it remains to be seen whether he will go ahead with his plans, given the strong reaction from China and other powers.

India has reason to be content with Abe’s win, as under his leadership India and Japan had established a very strong economic and political relationship. During prime minister Modi’s recent visit to Japan, the two leaders were able to establish a rapport that will stand them in good stead. Abe’s four-year term coincides with the rest of Modi’s term. India and Japan share strategic goals, both global and regional. The success of the Delhi Metro project and the ongoing rail corridor project are shining examples of how Japan’s financial resources and India’s development goals find convergence benefiting both.