TOKYO (AP) 鈥� Fumio Kishida was reelected as Japan鈥檚 prime minister Wednesday after his governing party scored a major victory in key parliamentary elections.
Elected just over a month ago by parliament, Kishida called a quick election in which his governing party secured 261 seats in the 465-member lower house 鈥� the more powerful of Japan鈥檚 two-chamber legislature 鈥� enough to maintain a free hand in pushing legislation through parliament.
The Oct. 31 victory increases his grip on power and is seen as a mandate from voters for his weeks-old government to tackle the pandemic-battered economy, virus measures and other challenges.
Later Wednesday, he will form his second Cabinet.
Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press
