Analysts say Mr. Abe has been presenting himself as a force for stability at a time when residents have been awoken by text alerts notifying them of missile launches. “There is no use if they only complain or grumble.”Still, Mr. Abe’s call for an early election is not without risk. In a bow to the sensitivity of the constitutional issue, Mr. Abe did not mention it during his election announcement. Mr. Okubo said that Mr. Abe would benefit from the recent stabilization of Japan’s economy. Mr. Abe has also vowed to use a consumption tax increase to pay for child care and free university and college tuition.

Source: New York Times September 25, 2017 09:33 UTC