Japan parliament re-elects Abe as prime minister

By Elaine Kurtenbach The Associated Press

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at his official residence in Tokyo Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Japan was preparing Wednesday to name Abe to his next term in office following his party's victory in a Dec. 14 snap election. Abe's Cabinet disbanded early in the day as a ritual first step. The parliament was to convene in the afternoon to elect Abe as prime minister. Abe is due to then appoint a new cabinet. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

TOKYO Japans parliament re-elected Shinzo Abe on Wednesday to serve another term as prime minister after his party won a snap election earlier this month.

Abe won 328 votes out of the 470 cast by lawmakers in a special session of the lower house Wednesday. Since the ruling Liberal Democrats hold only two lower house seats, two other lawmakers also cast votes for Abe.

Following a similar vote by the upper house, Abe will name his cabinet, replacing only his defence minister. The cabinet members are then to be presented in a formal ceremony to Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace.

The victory by the ruling Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner the Komei Party was viewed as an endorsement by the public of Abes strategies for reviving Japans stagnant economy, despite a record low turnout.

Former Defence Minister Akinori Eto was among cabinet ministers appointed in a reshuffle in early September. He was one of several ministers whose political funding reports were questioned by opposition lawmakers during the recent parliamentary session. Two resigned their cabinet posts but were re-elected anyway.

The questions over political finance pulled Abes popularity ratings lower and were likely a factor in his decision to call the snap election.

Analysts said Etos handling of the questions was seen as too weak, and that Abe planned to appoint a stronger figure to help handle anticipated fierce questioning over defence-related issues in the next years parliamentary debate.

Local media said Gen Nakatani was viewed as the likely replacement for Eto. Nakatani served as defence minister under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and supports a stronger role for Japans military, which is constrained by the countrys commitment to pacifism under the constitution drafted by the American occupation forces following Japans defeat in World War II.

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Japan parliament re-elects Abe as prime minister