SHINZO ABE won endorsement yesterday to serve another term as prime minister after winning a renewed mandate for his “Abenomics” strategies for reviving the world’s third-biggest economy.

    Abe appointed a former military officer, Gen Nakatani, as defense minister but kept the other members of his previous Cabinet. They took office later in the day after donning formal attire for a ceremonial presentation to Emperor Akihito.

    Abe won 328 votes out of the 470 cast by lawmakers in a special session of the lower house yesterday. Since the ruling Liberal Democrats hold 326 lower house seats, two other lawmakers also cast votes for Abe.

    The victory by the ruling Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner the Komei Party was viewed as an endorsement by the public of Abe’s strategies for reviving Japan’s stagnant economy, despite a record low turnout.

    Nakatani’s predecessor, Akinori Eto, was one of several ministers whose political funding reports were questioned by opposition lawmakers during the recent parliamentary session. Two resigned their Cabinet posts but were re-elected anyway.

    Analysts said Eto’s handling of the questions was seen as too weak, and that Abe needed a stronger figure to help handle anticipated fierce questioning over defense-related issues in the next year’s parliamentary debate.

    Nakatani is a graduate of the National Defense Academy who attained a rank of first lieutenant before leaving the military. He served as defense minister under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and supports a stronger role for Japan’s military, which is constrained by the country’s commitment to pacifism under the constitution drafted by the American occupation forces following Japan’s defeat in World War II.(SD-Agencies)