Japan's ruling party wins in landslide victory

Japan's ruling coalition won big in Sunday's lower house elections, returning the party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power and ensuring the continuation of reforms aimed at lifting the country's economy out of its two-decade funk.

At stake in the snap elections, called by Abe last month, was the 475-seat lower house, which is the more powerful of Japan's two houses and has the final say in picking a prime minister and approving most legislation.

With most of the votes counted, the ruling coalition claimed 326 seats, with the Liberal Democrats' 291 and 35 for the Buddhist-backed Komei party, according to NHK. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, had about 73 seats — a stronger showing than many had expected.

The Japan Communist Party won 21 seats and another opposition party, the Innovation Party, took 41 seats, NHK reported.

The Liberal Democrats held 295 seats before the election, and fell short of the forecasts of many analysts who expected them to win as many as 320 seats.

The win could help Abe push through politically difficult initiatives such as opening Japan's agricultural markets and expanding the role of the military. Economic reforms are vital to a sustained recovery from two decades of stagnation, but face stiff opposition from vested interests. Consolidating power now may also aid in Abe's longer-term goal of amending the constitution, as well as restarting nuclear power plants.

Abe hopes to stem a slide in his support while his government carries out the economic revitalization reform program, known as Abenomics, aimed at boosting Japan’s growth after the 2011 tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disaster.

Share prices have risen and many companies have reported record profits, but the recovery has faltered in recent months, with Japan returning to recession after a sales tax hike chilled demand among consumers and businesses.

"I believe this shows that voters gave the Abe administration a positive evaluation over the past two years," said Finance Minister Taro Aso, who retained his seat in parliament. "Abenomics is still halfway through, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to push it further."

The election was seen as less of a verdict on Abe's policies than acquiescence to the ruling party's growing power. Despite weakening popularity ratings, a recession and messy campaign finance scandals, the Liberal Democrats were virtually certain to triumph thanks to voter apathy and a weak opposition. Kyodo news agency estimated voter turnout at 53 percent, a post-World War II record low and down 6 percentage points from the previous lower house election in 2012.

Sunday's election could further roil ties with China if Abe interprets the Liberal Democrats' strong showing as a mandate for a tough stance toward Beijing. Japan's relations with its huge neighbor and trading partner China have soured since Abe took office in late 2012, with the countries sparring over conflicting claims to islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Tokyo. 

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press