Abe Poised for Second Turn at Helm as Japan Contracts

Shinzo Abe quit as Japan’s prime minister five years ago, citing an intestinal disorder and apologizing for being unable to fulfill his duties. Now on the verge of retaking office, redemption may depend on whether he can repair an economy that’s deteriorated in the interval.

Abe became the country’s youngest postwar premier in 2006 only to resign a year later. He was tapped in September again to lead the Liberal Democratic Party, which is forecast to regain power in the Dec. 16 parliamentary election after its half-century domination of Japan’s politics ended in 2009.