(Bloomberg) -- Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, said he’s “not thinking” of staying on as ruling party leader beyond the end of his current term in September 2021.
Some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have called for Abe to continue for a fourth straight term as party president, and thus prime minister, because of his record of six straight election victories.
“I’m really not thinking of that,” Abe said in an interview with national broadcaster NHK, recorded before his departure to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman this weekend. “It’s not in any corner of my mind.”
He’s also not thinking about calling an election at present, but he wouldn’t hesitate to do so when the time is right, he said.
Other highlights from the interview:
- Abe wants to continue efforts to improve Japan’s fiscal situation
- Sales tax won’t be raised again before the end of his term
- Gradual economic recovery is continuing
- Biggest economic measure is swift approval of budget
- Improved relations with South Korea
- South Korea asset seizure is in breach of settlement agreement
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