Japan Ruling Bloc Wins Big in Vote Held Days After Abe’s Murder
- Ruling bloc increases its majority in the upper house
- Election went ahead days after former premier was fatally shot
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Japan’s ruling coalition expanded its majority in an upper house election held Sunday, two days after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who led the bloc to numerous victories during his term as premier.
The results will likely bolster current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who had been seeking a solid victory that could strengthen his grip over the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party and open the way for a “golden three years” in which he need not face another national election. He said his top priority after the vote would be reviving the economy.