Around Asia Pacific & Oceania [12.13.14]

Japan

• Japan’s Abe Set for Landslide Victory, Polls Suggest [Wall Street Journal] 

"Strong Vote Would Give LDP a Mandate to Pursue Policies Such as Opening Agricultural Markets

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is poised for a landslide victory in Dec. 14 parliamentary elections, polls by Japanese news organizations said Thursday, a result that would give Mr. Abe a mandate to pursue policies such as opening Japan’s agricultural markets."

• Japan Prime Minister Is Expected to Win Polls [Wall Street Journal] 

"Toyota City  ...   sales have risen about 10% 

Poll suggests Prime Minister Abe's LDP to win 300+ seats in parliament's 475-seat lower house

Unemployment ... fallen to just 2.4% from 5.1% in 2009"