Region:
Asia
Category:
Politics

Japan: Abe set to be re-elected LDP president

Region:
Asia
Category:
Politics
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By NHK
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His new term as the LDP leader will run until the end of September 2018

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to be re-elected uncontested as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
His new term as the LDP leader will run until the end of September 2018.
Abe registered his candidacy on Tuesday at the party headquarters. No other members registered.
Lawmakers with the party will gather later to endorse his re-election.
Abe will be the first LDP president in 14 years to be re-elected without a vote.
He said, "I will work to maintain a virtuous cycle of economic recovery for people throughout the country. I will also proceed with the revitalization of rural areas and further speed up efforts to rebuild regions hit by earthquakes and other disasters. I'm determined to fulfill my responsibility by addressing all the challenges and achieving tangible results."
Abe said LDP members are trying to enact some important bills. He said they gave him a mandate to keep his leadership as the party needs to be united at this time.
Abe's sole contender was widely seen to be the former chair of the party's General Council, Seiko Noda.
But she failed to secure the recommendations of 20 lawmakers -- a prerequisite for her candidacy.