Kishida reelected Japan’s PM in parliamentary vote

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Fumio Kishida, who was reelected as Japan’s prime minister after his governing party scored a major victory in key parliamentary elections, says the coronavirus remains the country’s most urgent issue and pledged to take steps to mend the pandemic-battered economy. Kishida formed his second Cabinet by keeping all but one of the ministers he appointed when he took office Oct. 4. Kishida says he will introduce new measures to prepare for any surge in virus cases, including a significant increase in hospital capacity to avoid last summer’s near-collapse of health care systems. He also has stressed the importance of a stronger military amid concerns over China’s growing power and influence and North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.