Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is counting on a landslide victory in parliamentary elections Sunday that will likely return his ruling coalition to power with an even bigger majority, empowering him to pursue an ambitious agenda of political and economic reforms, AP reported. "This is the only way!" is the slogan Abe is driving home in his campaign speeches. For Japanese voters, that is probably the case. The economy is back in recession, the government's popularity ratings have slid and messy campaign finance scandals have roiled Abe's Cabinet. Normally, that would be bad news for the incumbent. Yet Abe is virtually the only game in town thanks to Japan's tendency toward a one-party political system, voter apathy and a lack of viable alternatives. Campaigning wrapped up Saturday evening, with Abe, fist raised in the air, making a final appeal for support in Tokyo's gaudy Akihabara electronics district. "If we create a country where everyone is given a chance, Japan will grow much bigger," Abe said, accusing the opposition Democratic Party of being too pessimistic over the country's declining population, which is one factor behind Japan's slowing economy. "We are finished if we give up!" Surveys showed many voters planned to stay away from polling stations. Fed up with or indifferent to the choices on offer, a large share support no party in particular, so Abe's Liberal Democratic Party may win by default. -- SPA 22:01 LOCAL TIME 19:01 GMT تغريد
