The Liberal Democratic-New Komeito victory in Japan's Upper House election signals the return of political stability to Japan for the first time in seven years. Since 2006, when Junichiro Koizumi stepped down after five years as prime minister, Japan has had a series of stop-gap governments.

Paradoxically Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the person who initiated the revolving-door process when he resigned in September 2007. He then had five successors in as many years until Abe regained office last December.

Ironically Abe may end up in a situation similar to that of Koizumi — popular at home but unwelcome in China.