Wednesday's passage of a record-high spending budget for fiscal 2018 brought closure to a tumultuous first half of this year's ordinary Diet session that witnessed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's approval rating nosedive to a dangerous level amid an unfolding document-tampering scandal.
With that, the prime minister can now shift his focus to diplomacy — his strong suit — as he prepares for a series of high-profile meetings with world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, as early as next month.
By showcasing his diplomatic skills, Abe, experts say, may be able to regain momentum for winning a historic third term as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which holds its election in September, though much hinges upon on whether his approval rating improves and what prosecutors probing the scandal do.