Abe rules out lower house election during coronavirus spread

TOKYO, June 18 Kyodo - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday ruled out the possibility of dissolving the lower house for a snap election as his focus is on containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but said he will not hesitate to do so when the time is right. Speaking at a press conference to sum up a 150-day regular Diet session, Abe expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in parliamentary debate over reform of the Constitution. He reiterated his resolve to achieve amendment of the supreme law before his term as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party ends next year. Abe wants the Self-Defense Forces to be specifically mentioned in the war-renouncing Constitution through the first revision since it took effect in 1947. "As I have been devoting all my efforts to the coronavirus response, (dissolving the lower house) has not crossed my mind," Abe told the press conference. "But there is no change in my position that I will not hesitate to do so if I need to go to the people," he said. The remarks came amid speculation among some lawmakers that Abe will call an election later this year. The current four-year term for lower house members will expire in October 2021 and an election must be held by then. Abe's term as LDP leader is set to end in September 2021 unless the LDP changes its rules. But he dismissed the idea of seeking another term, telling reporters that he will give everything to the remainder of his tenure. "I have to fulfill my responsibility by bringing an end to the coronavirus (epidemic) and protecting people's livelihoods and jobs, followed by leading the economy to recover and holding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics," Abe said. After a one-year postponement, the Tokyo Games are now scheduled to start in the summer of 2021 and organizers have agreed with the International Olympic Committee to hold a "simplified" games. The prime minister said he does not plan to change the lineup of his Cabinet for some time to tackle pressing issues. The 150-day parliamentary session ended Wednesday without an extension demanded by opposition parties. Despite the coronavirus response taking center stage, Abe came under criticism for his slow handling of the epidemic and a series of scandals that subsequently sent his support ratings to the lowest in years. The sudden suspension of a plan to deploy Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense systems came only days before the session closed, prompting opposition lawmakers to demand further explanations. In the press conference, Abe said there should be "no vacuum" in the country's defense, adding that the government will review its security strategy following the recent decision on the Aegis Ashore system designed to counter ballistic missiles from North Korea. On the long-standing issue of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals, Abe said it remains "the highest priority" for his administration. "It's gut-wrenching, after seven years in office, that I have not been able to live up to the expectations of everyone," Abe said, adding that he will use all possible means to resolve the issue. The father of one of the abductees, Shigeru Yokota, died in early June after spending decades trying to raise public awareness of the issue that dates back to the 1970s. Japan officially lists 17 people as having been abducted by the North with five already repatriated. But Pyongyang maintains that eight have died, including Yokota's daughter Megumi, and that the other four never entered the country. ==Kyodo