Leaders from eight of the nation's leading political parties crossed swords in an online debate Saturday over the merits of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policies and the new security framework he is pursuing.

"We were able to seize the moment (for Japan) to pull out of deflation" thanks to "Abenomics," Abe, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said during the debate hosted by the popular Nico Nico Douga video-posting website ahead of the Dec. 14 Lower House election.

It was the first time leaders from the eight parties engaged in a debate since Abe dissolved the Lower House on Nov. 21, seeking a fresh mandate for his Abenomics economic policy mix of massive monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and growth-oriented reform.