World

Japan ruling party heads to victory in wake of Abe’s death

July 10, 2022

TOKYO — Japan’s governing party and its coalition partner scored a major victory in a parliamentary election Sunday, possibly propelled by sympathy votes in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Early results in the race for the parliament’s upper house showed Abe’s governing party and its junior coalition partner Komeito securing a majority in the chamber and adding more.

The last day of campaigning on Saturday, a day after Abe was gunned down while delivering a speech, was held under heightened security as party leaders pledged to uphold democracy and renounce violence.

Preliminary vote counts showed the governing Liberal Democratic Party on track to secure a coalition total of at least 143 seats in the 248-member upper house, the less powerful of the two chambers.

Up for election was half of the upper house’s new six-year term. With a likely major boost, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stands to rule without interruption until a scheduled election in 2025. — Agencies


July 10, 2022
195 views
HIGHLIGHTS
World
16 hours ago

Germany, other allies lift Ukraine's restrictions on long-range weapons

World
16 hours ago

US envoy says Gaza ceasefire deal is on the table, as Israel prepares for ‘unprecedented attack’

World
17 hours ago

Iran says it’s ready to compromise with Trump, suggests US understands its red lines