Publication

This policy brief assesses the results of the Japanese Lower House elections held in December 2012. The author argues that the results reveal that Japanese voters were more interested in domestic economic issues than foreign policy. The returning Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, faces a challenging political environment due to powerful opposition parties in the Upper House. Abe will have to carefully manage this administration to win the next Upper House election scheduled for July 2013. Whether he reaches out and coordinates activities with other political parties is crucial for both Japan’s foreign and trade policy, as well as its future role in the Asia-Pacific.