Japan: Does Abe's Snap Election Ploy Belie Policy Promises?

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was elected in 2012 vowing to kickstart the country's ailing economy by ending deflation and overthrowing vested interests that have stifled growth. 

Yet two years later, he has called another election amid general disgruntlement among the population. Japan is again in recession and households are no better off.

A director of the APEC Study Centre at Auckland University, Robert Scollay, said Mr Abe had failed to deliver on his promises.

"He's shied away from structural reform which most commentators regard as the most crucial element and is also the element that would push him to make a progressive approach to the TPP."

But polls indicate Mr Abe should retain his job, helped by the fact that his political opponents are weak.

Professor Scollay said Mr Abe would get the chance to push through the changes to make Japan more competitive, including opening up its economy.

But he said many in Mr Abe's LDP party may prove difficult to convince.

"We'll just have to wait and see whether he will actually use the power that he's apparently going to get from his election win to actually push through on these domestic economic reforms which will imply a positive approach by Japan to the TPP," said Professor Scollay.

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