Insight - Japan's polarising PM Abe learns the long game

Then incoming Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe (2nd R) gestures as he takes his seat at the Lower House of the Parliament in Tokyo, in this file picture taken December 26, 2012. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shinzo Abe is one of Japan’s most polarizing prime ministers in decades. He may also have a good shot at becoming that rarity in Japanese politics – a long-serving leader.

Whether that proves to be the case depends on whether Abe, who surged back to power 20 months ago for a second shot at Japan’s top job, can temper his conservative ideology with pragmatism and keep his pledges to end two decades of economic stagnation.