Shinzo Abe weathers scandals to become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister

Analysts say Abe has benefited from a weak opposition and a desire for stability among voters

Shinzo Abe has become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, but the milestone came amid a political scandal and doubts over his ability to realise his dream of revising the country’s postwar “pacifist” constitution.

Abe has spent a total of 2,887 days as leader during two periods in office, beating the previous record set by Taro Katsura more than a century ago.

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