Abe's Presence Rises... Rumors of Return as Head of Largest Faction Emerge

Expanding Steps While Touring Constituency for Three Days
Continuing Right-Wing Activities

▲Shinzo Abe [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expanding his activities after retirement and regaining his presence.

Although he declared at the time of his resignation that he would act as "a single member of parliament" going forward, there is a possibility that this will soon lead to moves to appoint him as the chairman of the largest faction of the Liberal Democratic Party.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 4th, former Prime Minister Abe actively continued external activities by visiting Yamaguchi Prefecture, where his electoral district is located, from the 1st to the 3rd of this month to meet supporters.

He explained that his health, which he cited as the reason for his resignation, is recovering smoothly and expressed his political will regarding his long-held goal of constitutional revision.

Also, Abe met supporters in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, stating, "The medication I am currently taking is effective, and my physical condition is recovering at a very fast pace."

He told reporters, "The opposition party said they would not revise the constitution while the Abe administration continued, but now it is the Suga Yoshihide administration, so that excuse no longer works." He added, "Constitutional discussions are precisely an opportunity for members of parliament to express their views," and "I want to work to further raise the momentum for constitutional revision."

Abe visited Yamaguchi Prefectural Office, Nagato City Hall, and Shimonoseki City Hall in succession, meeting with former secretaries and other close aides.

He also continued his activities recently in Tokyo.

After retirement, he visited Yasukuni Shrine twice, sending a message to right-wing forces.

He participated in gatherings such as the "Group to Protect Japan's Dignity and National Interest" and the "Rebirth Japan" event, continuing moves aimed at consolidating right-wing forces.

As Abe, who stepped down due to health issues, emphasizes his recovery and expands his pace, there are even speculations that he will return to the Hosoda faction, the largest faction of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Mainichi reported that former Prime Minister Abe has expressed to those around him his intention to return to the Hosoda faction as early as next year.

Kyodo News introduced that a mid-level member of the Hosoda faction expressed expectations for Abe's return, saying, "The faction's presence will become even stronger" if Abe returns.

If Abe returns to the Hosoda faction, voices calling for his appointment as chairman are expected to grow louder.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.