SHINZO ABE ON COURSE TO BECOME LONGEST SERVING PRIME MINISTER

TOKYO— Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is vying for his third reelection as the ruling party leader next week, extending his stay in power in order to revise his country’s pacifist constitution.

Abe faced his only challenger, Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister, during Friday’s debate, which could be the only public discussion before the Sept. 20 vote.

Declared goal

“I will take on the task of revising the constitution, a postwar challenge that has never been achieved, in order to open a new era,” Abe told the nationally televised event.

The 63-year-old Abe, prime minister since December 2012, is poised to become Japan’s longest-serving leader with a historic third term.

He reportedly has the support of least five main factions of the Liberal Democrats, securing some 300 of the 405 votes, as well as many others among local party members.

With Abe’s victory widely expected, the main focus has shifted to who would get key party posts and a Cabinet lineup, or his possible successor.

Many Japanese are more concerned about their salaries, high cost of child care and education.

Abe has enjoyed strong backing from his party, but has also survived a series of scandals, including cronyism allegations against him.