Conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to hold a snap general election in Japan after just two years in office paid off yesterday as he scored a resounding victory.

His Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) appeared headed towards at least two-thirds control of Japan’s house of representatives together with its Buddhist-backed Komei party coalition partner.

With most votes counted, LDP has won more than 280 of the 475 seats in the lower house, with a further 30 for Komei. The main opposition Democratic Party has won about 70 seats.

Mr Abe said that his top priority was the economy and he would also tackle other major issues, including national security.

Washington backed his ploy because it hopes that he will be able to win passage of a series of Bills needed to expand Japan’s military role alongside the US.

The big victory will boost his agenda of economic flexibility, nuclear plant restarts and revising Japan’s constitution.