Abe pledges crucial structural reforms

Tokyo

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to carry out crucial structural reforms this year as part his drive to kickstart the economy, while emphasising that the country remains pacifist as he pursues his nationalist agenda

"This year we will once again make the economy the foremost priority, delivering the warm winds of economic recovery to every corner of the nation," he said in his new year statement on Thursday, weeks after winning a landslide election.

"We will decisively execute our growth strategy, carrying out economic (stimulus) measures at an early time," he said, referring to reforms such as deregulation in the energy and farm sectors.

Since he first took office in December 2012, Mr Abe said he has tackled various issues including revamping the country's education and social security systems, …