After victory, Abe prioritizes N. Korea, aging population

Fresh off a decisive election victory, Japan’s leader pledged Monday to tackle what he called Japan’s two national crises: the military threat from North Korea and an aging and shrinking population.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a news conference that he is committed to protect the Japanese people’s prosperity and peace from any contingency. He also referred to Japanese people who were abducted years ago and are believed to still be held by North Korea.

“I will pursue decisive and strong diplomacy to tackle North Korea’s missile, nuclear and abduction issues and put further pres- sure to get it to change its policy,” he said.

His ruling coalition got voters’ endorsement to stay in power in elections for Japan’s more powerful lower house Sunday. Abe said Japan’s decreas

population and aging is “the biggest challenge” for his Abenomics policy aimed at Japan’s economic recovery from deflation. “The problem is progressing by the minute, and we cannot afford wait

around.” He promised a comprehen- sive package by the end of the year to deal with Japan’s demographic challenges, including investments in edu- cation, productivity improve- ments and pension system reform.

Abe’s

Abe said the result showed “strong support” from the people and thanked them for backing stability and his government’s policies.

The victory boosts Abe’s chances of winning another three-year term next September as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. That could extend his premiership to 2021, giving him more time to try to win a reluctant public over to his longtime goal of revising Japan’s pacifist constitution.

In the immediate term, the win likely means a continuation of the policies Abe has pursued since he took office in December 2012 — a hard line on North Korea, close ties with Washington, including more purchase of American missile interceptors, as well as a super-loose monetary policy and push for nuclear energy. Stocks rose in Tokyo on Monday morning.

Abe said he will have “deep discussion” on North Korean policies with President Donald Trump during his planned Nov. 5-7 visit in Japan.

Abe’s ruling coalition already has a two-thirds majority in the less powerful upper house. Having a so-called supermajority in both houses gives them virtually a free hand to push even divisive policies and legislation.

That would also increase Abe’s chances for achieving a constitutional revision, a goal his party and its nationalist supporters have advocated for years.