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Japan's ruling bloc victory ends years of gridlock
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition Sunday secured a majority in the upper house of parliament, media exit polls showed. 

Abe pledges economy, not nationalism, will be focus
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.

Abe highlights economy after upper house win
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said here Monday that he and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) are resolute to implement economic policies under his growth strategy so as to revitalize Japan's stagnant economy.

Pictures: Abe attends press conference after LDP's election win

Commentary

 On China-Japan ties

Global Times Editorial

Psychological confrontation and even hostility have been aroused, and there is neither external environment nor internal motives for both to overcome those negative feelings. Therefore, it will be lucky if the Sino-Japanese relations could maintain a "cold confrontation." 

We advise Chinese leaders not to meet Abe for a long time, and Chinese senior officials don't comment on Sino-Japanese relations save for remarks by the spokespersons of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These will be a response to the tough shows against China by high-ranking Japanese politicians like Abe.  

Liu Jiangyong, vice director of the Institute of Modern International Relations, Tsinghua University

It is predictable that after the upper house elections, the Abe administration will start formulating a new defense policy, with more details on military buildup and preparation against China. 

Today's Japan is not yet capable of resuming its militarism and China is no longer a backward state arbitrarily bullied by imperialist powers. 

Jiang Feng, editor-in-chief of jnocnews.jp

Shinzo Abe's victory means that Sino-Japanese relations will be entering a phase of adjustment. Though Abe has implemented numerous China policies over the past six months, there are still no clear signs the two countries have improved ties. The prime minister recently contacted Chinese ambassador Cheng Yonghua discreetly to hear his thoughts on the future of Chinese relations, because the most important task Abe now faces is to find what exactly are those necessary adjustments.
Source: haiwainet.cn

Cai Liang, scholar at the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

Japan's current diplomatic aim is to steer the Diaoyu dispute away from general Sino-Japan relations discussions and seek economic progress through trade; thus separating economics and politics. But this is difficult for China to accept. Abe is looking to force China to the table with this "separation" policy, where he will attempt for a push for a compromise. 
Source: dfdaily.com

 On amending the constitution

Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese animator and director 

Revising Article 9 may not pose a problem legally if Article 96 is amended. But it will amount to a fraud. That is something that should never be done."

Philip McNeil, Shizuoka-based political observer and author 

Ideologically, Abe wants to build a 'strong Japan' and along with a number of his senior ministers, harbors nationalistic convictions, evidenced by his own ministers' visits to a controversial shrine honoring war criminals.

Hirohisa Suzuki,political analyst

The concern now lies in the fact that such a radical change, following the result's of today's upper house election, is now " effectively" in the hands of one party who controls a simple majority of the government and the electorate. It means that the party can easily and rapidly add amendments to constitutional clauses, with little opposition.

Liu Jiangyong, vice director of the Institute of Modern International Relations, Tsinghua University

Once the Article 9 of the constitution is revised, the Japanese government will probably consider dispatching maritime Self-Defense Forces, with the excuse of preventing Chinese naval vessels from entering the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands. 

Ei Sun Oh, senior fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

If instead the worries over Japanese constitutional amendments divert precious attention and resources into upgrading defense capabilities in lieu of economic stimulus, the repercussions will be global.

 On "Abenomics"

Hirohisa Suzuki,political analyst

Such a monumental victory for Abe and the LDP-bloc could mean more opposition from within the party's own ranks to regulatory reform, particularly from lawmakers with ties to specific industries that may not benefit from change.

Banri Kaieda, Abe's main detractor, leader of the main opposition DPJ

 "Abenomics" will ultimately lead to far higher consumer prices, at a time when wages have been largely frozen and consumption tax will likely be hiked, against the backdrop of a nation facing ever-mounting public debt.

Ei Sun Oh, senior fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

If instead the worries over Japanese constitutional amendments divert precious attention and resources into upgrading defense capabilities in lieu of economic stimulus, the repercussions will be global.

Xinhua

Abe's work is far from done. Japan, the world's third largest economy, still needs more far-reaching reforms to address its chronic problems. According to exit polls, most Japanese voters supported Abe mainly because of his economic performance.

As a Chinese saying goes, "the water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up." Japanese voters could quickly turn their backs on Abe if they find the economy is not getting better.

Amending constitution

Graphics: Globaltimes.cn

Foreign media

  The Independent: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's new term could open old wounds by rewriting country's post-war remorse

The key question following Mr Abe's victory then is: will his political obsessions override his economic judgment? The answer could have profound consequences for the world: Japan is locked in a bitter territorial dispute with China, its biggest trading partner. Political misjudgment could worsen already badly corroded ties between the planet's second and third largest economies. 

 CNN: Will the real Shinzo Abe emerge after Diet success?

Japan's most important strategic imperative is forging better ties with China and given his conservative nationalist credentials, Abe is in a good position to build a future oriented relationship. Regarding the territorial dispute with Beijing over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, Tokyo's claim that there is no dispute is a diplomatic dead-end that impedes hammering out a modus vivendi. Its time for confidence building measures, not counterproductive gestures about history; the 2008 agreement for joint development of hydrocarbon resources in the East China Sea that shelves issues of sovereignty could be a useful step forward.

 South China Morning Post: Worry over hawkish Shinzo Abe's nationalist agenda

Abe's detractors fear Abenomics has been a Trojan Horse aimed at securing the hawkish premier enough power to implement his conservative social agenda. For now, many experts suggest, Abe is unlikely to turn his back on economic matters. "My understanding is that Abe-san has three faces: Abe as right-wing, Abe as a pragmatist, Abe as the economic reformer," said Shinichi Kitaoka, president of the International University of Japan. "He has been showing the third face so far and will try to do the same after the election."

News vocab

民意调查 mínyì diàochá 
poll; (public) opinion poll/survey

根据民意调查显示,日本民众希望安倍能够振兴经济。
A public opinion poll shows that the Japanese people hope Shinzo Abe is able to boost Japan's economy.

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