"I don’t think voters were asked to express pros and cons on the constitution in this election," he said. "A two-thirds majority doesn’t mean that Abe’s government can tackle the amendment to the constitution immediately. "I’m relieved that we were able to secure more than... half the seats contested," he told private broadcaster TBS television about two hours after polls closed at 8 pm (1100 GMT). "My term lasts for two (more) years, but it is also the goal of the LDP," he said of amending the country’s basic law. "Considering the current negative signs for the economy, we can say many voters reluctantly voted for ruling candidates due to the weakness of the opposition," he told AFP.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 10, 2016 15:33 UTC