Japan’s Abe Re-Elected as Party Head, to Stay on as PM

Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe receives applause from the LDP lawmakers shortly after his name was called as the winner of the ruling party presidential elections at its headquarters in Tokyo, on Sept. 20, 2018. Koji Sasahara/AP

TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was re-elected as head of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in a landslide on Sept. 20, paving the way for up to three more years as the nation’s leader and a push toward a constitutional revision.

The decisive victory may embolden Abe to pursue his long-sought amendment to Japan’s U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution, although the hurdles remain high and doing so would carry political risks.