Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, fresh from a victory in parliament's upper house election, vowed Monday to stay focused on reviving the stagnant economy and sought to counter suspicions he might instead shift emphasis to his nationalist agenda.

The victory gave Abe a stronger mandate for his prescription for reviving the world's third-biggest economy. He emphasized that his priority remains proceeding with his "Abenomics" program of hyper-easy monetary policy, government spending and economic reform, describing it as the cornerstone of other policy goals. "It is not easy to overcome 15 years of deflation."

Some have worried he will shift focus to the conservative agenda, including revising the pacifist constitution, strengthening Japan's defense posture and recasting the wartime history with a less apologetic tone.

Although many suggest Abe will stick with economic matters, he is moving towards security policy changes.

Abe reiterated on Monday that he wants to debate changing a self-imposed ban on exercising the right of "collective self-defense," or aiding an ally under attack.

Abe's government is also reviewing the possibility of acquiring a preemptive strike capability and creating a marine force to protect remote islands such as those at the core of a territorial row with China.

One clue to how Abe intends to proceed on the touchy topic of wartime history will be whether he will visit the Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead on August 15, the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.

Global Times - Reuters