After winning more than two-thirds of the Lower House in Sunday's general election, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito are set to launch a coalition government as early as next week, with hawkish LDP leader Shinzo Abe becoming prime minister.
Abe, who served in the post for less than a year in 2006 and 2007, told reporters Monday that he and New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi will hold a meeting soon to kick off the policy coordination process for launching a coalition government.
A special Diet session to choose the new prime minister will be held Dec. 26, and Abe is expected to immediately form a new Cabinet.