Japan yesterday held nationwide local elections, seen as a referendum on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic efforts as he tries to stimulate the nation’s flagging rural businesses.
As his nation voted, Abe began a week-long US visit that is expected to showcase the success of the alliance built from Tokyo’s defeat in World War II, while promoting a political agenda based on still stronger military and economic ties.
Voting began early yesterday to elect mayors and assembly members across the nation, including in the capital, in the second round of local polls this month.
Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party regards the polls as a litmus test to evaluate his drive to resuscitate Japan’s fortunes, dubbed “Abenomics.”
Broadcasters’ exit polls are expected to give a reasonable indication of the final outcome shortly after the ballot boxes are sealed at 8pm.
The party secured strong support in the first round of local elections on April 12, winning a majority in assembly elections and all 10 gubernatorial races.
Abe told parliament in early April that local economies were gradually benefitting from his drive to revive Japan’s fortunes, but said that some small to medium-sized businesses in the countryside had yet to benefit.
Since returning to power more than two years ago, Abe has issued a series of big-spending stimulus programs to boost the economy, assisted by aggressive monetary easing by the Bank of Japan.
Big businesses and urban areas like Tokyo are seen to have benefited from Abe’s programs, while rural economies have remained slow in the face of depopulation.
While share prices are trading at about a 15-year high, the world’s No. 3 economy is experiencing low growth, fueling doubts over Abe’s bid to lift Japan out of two decades of stagnation.
The US visit is to take Abe from Boston to the Silicon Valley, with ample time for hobnobbing with high-flying businesspeople like the founders of Facebook and Apple, Japanese academics and celebrities.
With no major trade or economic deals expected, the aim, officials in Tokyo said, is to confirm an upgrading of joint defense guidelines and to advertise the bright side of Japan and its people, including Americans of Japanese ancestry, and possibly sell some bullet train systems.
Abe is first among several leaders of Asia visiting the US this year, a sign of Washington’s growing attention to the region.
He is expected to acknowledge Japan’s wartime past with a visit to the Holocaust Memorial National Museum. Abe is also to go to Arlington National Cemetery and pay respects to Japanese-American war dead at the “Go for Broke” memorial.
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