TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc avoided an embarrassing defeat on Sunday (July 30) as an ally won reelection as mayor of Yokohama, with the premier planning to reshuffle his cabinet this week in an effort to boost his sagging support ratings..
TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc avoided an embarrassing defeat on Sunday (July 30) as an ally won reelection as mayor of Yokohama, with the premier planning to reshuffle his cabinet this week in an effort to boost his sagging support ratings.
Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, backed by Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito, soundly defeated two opposition candidates, local media exit polls showed.
Hayashi’s win comes as Abe struggles with plunging support due to suspected cronyism scandals, the resignation of his defence minister and an impression among many voters that he has grown arrogant after more than four years in office.
Abe’s troubles are not immediately threatening his job and the main opposition party is weak and in disarray, but his sinking popularity could encourage LDP rivals to challenge him.
