Japan’s Abe sets out goals

–Shinzo Abe confirmed yesterday he would run in his ruling party’s leadership election, putting him on track to become Japan’s longest-serving premier and bolstering his dream of reforming the constitution.

Abe is expected to be re-elected head of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) easily, with the vast majority of lawmakers behind him and only one challenger, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba.

“I have decided to lead Japan as the LDP leader and the prime minister for three more years, and with this determination, I will run for the leadership election next month,” said Abe.

Winning the September 20 run-off would effectively keep the hawkish Abe in power for another three-year term at the helm of the world’s third-largest economy, with no real political party opposition to speak of.

Abe pledged yesterday to focus on the demographic issues raised by Japan’s rapidly ageing society as well as the “tumultuous changing international situation”.

Currently, the longest serving Japanese prime minister is Taro Katsura, who served as premier three times between June 1901 to February 1913.

If Abe serves beyond November next year, he will be the longest serving prime minister in the country’s history. – AFP

Tokyo