Conservative premier Abe, 63, is facing an unexpected and fierce challenge from the media-savvy Koike, who has upended the sleepy world of Japanese politics with her upstart "Party of Hope." "The political status quo has continued while politics itself has lost the public's confidence," charged the former TV anchorwoman, 65. The 12-day campaign will be fought around reviving Japan's once world-beating economy and the ever-present threat of North Korea which has threatened to "sink" the country into the sea. Koike's "Party of Hope" has swallowed up and replaced most of the main opposition party in the space of a week, transforming Japan's staid political landscape. Rival conservative blocsMore than 1,000 candidates were expected to run for 465 seats in the all-powerful lower house -- a reduction of 10 seats from the previous election.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 10, 2017 02:48 UTC