(22 Jul 2013)
++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: SCRIPT UPDATED AT 0845GMT++
AP TELEVISION
1. Wide of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at news briefing
2. Cutaway of cameramen
3. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister:
"I feel that the Japanese are beginning to regain confidence and pride. Bold deregulation and structural reform, TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) negotiations, and raising consumption taxes, all these are difficult tasks. But I must make a decision for the future of Japan."
4. Wide of Abe during news briefing
5. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister:
"Japan can shoot it down, but it doesn't. Can the Japan-US alliance be sustained under such circumstances? It is an actual problem. We are in a situation where we do not know when it might happen. So taking this into consideration, we are discussing the issue at the advisory panel on the "Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security."
6. Wide of Abe during news briefing
7. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister:
"I think we should conduct bilateral talks at the foreign minister level, or at the head of state level, bilateral ministerial or head of state talks. Even now, our doors for dialogue is open."
8. Pan of news briefing
STORYLINE
After the victory of his ruling coalition in parliamentary elections, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday tried to convince the public he has the capability to lead a revival of the world's No. 3 economy.
Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner the New Komeito took a combined 76 of the 121 seats up for grabs in the 242-member upper house on Sunday, winning them control of both chambers for the first time in three years.
Together with the seats they already held, they now have a combined majority of 135.
With its majority in the more powerful lower house, the ruling bloc now has control of both chambers for the first time in three years, lending it the potential to be one of Japan's most influential administrations in years.
Abe on Monday emphasised his determination to meet public expectations in nursing along the economic recovery.
"I feel that the Japanese are beginning to regain confidence and pride," Abe said during a news briefing.
"Bold deregulation and structural reform, TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) negotiations, and raising consumption taxes, all these are difficult tasks. But I must make a decision for the future of Japan."
The hard work lies ahead as aging Japan faces daunting challenges to its enviably high living standards and vibrant democracy.
Abe characterised the largely expected elections outcome as an endorsement of his "Abenomics" strategy aimed at wresting Japan from two decades of economic doldrums and political gridlock, but acknowledged the hard work lies ahead.
In just a few months, Abe will face a decision on whether to follow through on raising the sales tax next April from 5 percent to 8 percent - a move many worry could derail the recovery but is nevertheless vital for Japan's financial stability.
Abe also favours revising the country's pacifist constitution, drafted by the United States after World War II, to give Japan's military a larger role.
Abe's electoral campaign called for strategic diplomacy and unshakable national security under the Japan-US alliance, which allows for 50-thousand American troops to be stationed in Japan.
On the issue of collective defence, Abe reasserted the importance of lifting Japan's self-imposed ban considering Japan's security alliance with the United States.
"Even now, our doors for dialogue is open," Abe said.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
