After drawing a storm of criticism and causing controversy with his Cabinet's reinterpretation of the Constitution earlier this year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party now look ready to avoid contentious security issues and refocus on revitalizing rural economies during the extraordinary Diet session that starts Monday.
The 63-day session, expected to wrap up Nov. 30, is likely to be smooth sailing for Abe, who has pushed back the submission of controversial security and defense related bills to next year, including legislation related to the constitutional reinterpretation to allow Japan to exercise collective self-defense.
The postponement apparently underlined Abe's determination to avoid any political rows that could damage the LDP-led ruling coalition's campaign for upcoming nationwide local elections next spring, as well as gubernatorial elections in Fukushima next month and in Okinawa in November.