FOCUS: Weakening influence of slain Abe works in favor of Japan PM Kishida

A year after the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the vacancy in the top position of the ruling party's biggest faction, previously held by him, gives an advantage to incumbent premier Fumio Kishida.Such a power vacuum led to a decline in the faction's influence, allowing Kishida to effectively govern both the party and the government in the absence of formidable rivals.Kishida, who became the president of the Liberal Democratic Party in September 2021 but merely leads its fourth-largest group, has been compelled to navigate the balance of power among Abe's suppor…READ FULL ARTICLE