Scandals likely put Abe on defensive as Constitution reform looms

The odds are high that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be put on the defensive heading into a regular parliamentary session as opposition party lawmakers appear to have plenty of ammunition to use against him.Despite his stepped-up calls for a parliamentary debate on his long-held goal of constitutional reform, Abe will have to spend some time trying to stem a further fall in his support ratings and contain damage to his administration from a spate of simmering scandals, political experts say.The key question is when Abe will shift from a defensive posture and call an election.He has said di…READ FULL ARTICLE