A decision by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to call a snap election appears to have paid off.
Abe's ruling coalition has won a clear majority with more than two-thirds of Parliament's 465 seats, with the Liberal Democratic Party holding a majority even without its coalition partner, the Komeito party
"We were able to earn the powerful support of the Japanese people, well surpassing our goal," Abe said at a press conference after Sunday's vote.
The win puts him on course to be post-war Japan's longest-ever serving prime minister, and Abe is expected to use his new mandate to push for overhauls to the country's defense strategy and pacifist stance.
"My immediate task is to deal with North Korea," Abe told reporters late Sunday. "It will take tough diplomacy. With the mandate given by the people, I would like to exercise my command in diplomacy."
Official results are still to be released after Typhoon Lan prevented some people from voting in parts of the country, particularly those on outlying islands. However, their votes aren't expected to change the outcome.
The forecast win also puts Abe, 63, on track to become the longest-serving leader in the country's modern history. His performance at the polls Sunday is an indication his party is likely to re-elect him as their leader for another three years.
"I must face with this victory with humility," Abe told NHK after the exit poll results. "The voters gave us, the ruling party, a majority. This is the voice of the Japanese people, telling us to push our policies forward and come out with results."
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