Japan's Economic Woes Cast Shadow on Abe's Twin Election Choice
- Lawmaker blunders add to chilling effect of economic downturn
- Opposition Democratic Party gaining ground in some polls
Shinzo Abe.
Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
With Japan’s economy shrinking, the stock market in turmoil, and a stronger yen threatening export earnings, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s calculus on whether to call a snap general election this summer has suddenly grown more complicated.
Another win in the lower chamber along with an expected victory in the upper house vote set for the summer could allow Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party to stay in power until 2020, making him the longest-serving premier since the 1970s. With ministerial blunders and economic woes eroding his support, Abe risks the opposition Democratic Party of Japan gaining ground in any double vote.