The "landslide" victory of Shinzo Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party was much less than it seemed. The party won only 43 percent of the popular vote in the constituencies and a mere 28 percent in the proportional representational seats.

Given the record low 59 percent turnout, the new government may be able to claim a core support of 30 percent of the Japanese people.

But victory is victory, and Abe has shown a determination to supply the leadership that evaded the dithering and squabbling Democratic Party of Japan and was part of their downfall. However, Abe and Japan must beware that the smack of firm government takes the country on the right, not the wrong, road, or it could lead to a bigger mess that Japan can ill afford. It is important that the media, academics, business and political leaders scrutinize Abe's policies carefully and constructively to ask where his road is leading the country.