Japan PM promises to deal with North Korea threat

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promised to "deal firmly" with North Korea after exit polls suggested he won a clear victory in Sunday's election.

Mr Abe had called an early election for an increased mandate to deal with "crises" facing Japan, including the threat from Pyongyang.

Local media report Mr Abe's ruling coalition has retained its two-thirds majority in parliament. This paves the way for Mr Abe to amend Japan's post-war pacifist constitution. The prime minister has previously called for the existence of the country's armed forces to be formalised, a controversial move which he says is needed to strengthen Japan's defence but which critics say is a step towards re-militarisation.

Speaking after the exit polls, Mr Abe said: "As I promised in the election, my imminent task is to firmly deal with North Korea.... For that, strong diplomacy is required."

UCJ, UNILORIN.