Trump congratulates Abe on 'big win' in Japan elections

US President Donald Trump called Japan's victorious Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Oct 22, congratulating him on a thumping electoral win. PHOTOS: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Donald Trump called Japan's victorious Prime Minister Shinzo Abe late on Sunday (Oct 22), congratulating him on a thumping electoral win, the White House said.

The 63-year-old Mr Abe clinched a two-thirds "super-majority" that enables the nationalist premier to realise his dream of revising Japan's pacifist Constitution.

"The president had a great phone call last night with Prime Minister Abe to congratulate him on his party's big win in the elections yesterday," a senior US official said on Monday.

Mr Trump, according to the official - who asked not to be named - told Mr Abe that he had received a strong mandate from the Japanese people.

Mr Trump will travel to Japan in early November, as part of five-nation Asia visit that is set to be dominated by concerns about North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Mr Trump's victory comes after a series of North Korean tests set the nation on edge and as leaders in Japan and China consolidate their power.

In tandem with Mr Abe's victory, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared a "new era" in his country, as he secured another term in power and enshrined his thinking in Communist Party doctrine.

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