Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe put doubts about his political future to rest on Thursday by winning an overwhelming victory over challenger Shigeru Ishiba for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, consolidating control of the party and all but ensuring another three-year term as leader of his country. The 63-year-old conservative secured 553 votes against 254 won by former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, a hawkish self-confessed “military geek”, in a two-horse race for leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. “It’s time to stipulate both the Self-Defense Forces and the protection of Japan’s peace and independence in the constitution,” Abe said in his last stump speech in Tokyo. However, he is expected to retain Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, a political ally who has backed his “Abenomics” strategy to stimulate the world’s third-largest economy. Abe, who has been prime minister since December 2012, has cemented control of his party and received support from conservatives for bringing stability and continuity to economic and diplomatic policies. Key things to know about Abe and his policies:

Abe, 63, a hawkish conservative from the long-dominant pro-U.S., pro-business Liberal Democratic Party, is one of Japan's longest-serving leaders and the first born after World War II. Having secured wide support from LDP factions, Abe initially set a goal of winning at least 70 percent of votes among local party members and supporters to show that he had broad public support.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe is elected for a third term as President of the Liberal Democratic Party.