Japan PM Abe to keep priority on economy in next term: policy statement

[TOKYO] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will keep priority on the economy after his expected win of a rare second consecutive term as ruling party chief and hence, premier, according to a statement on Tuesday ahead of registration for the party poll.

Mr Abe, who took office in December 2012 pledging to reboot the stale economy, was set to win another three-year term as ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president after domestic media said his only potential rival failed to gain enough sponsors to launch a challenge.

Mr Abe's statement also said he would deepen public debate on revising Japan's post-war, pacifist constitution with an aim to changing the charter. Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of revising the constitution's pacifist Article 9.

REUTERS