Abe re-elected in low-turnout Japan polls

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe celebrates after winning the Lower House election at headquarters of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo, Japan, 14 December 2014. -EPA

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won comfortable re-election Sunday in a snap poll he had billed as a referendum on his economic policies after early success faded into a recession.

But a low turnout from unenthusiastic voters beset by a heavy snowfall across much of the country could cast doubt on the endorsement he will claim for “Abenomics” -- his signature plan to fix the country’s flaccid economy.