Re-elected Japanese PM vows to step up reform

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba showed a willingness to co-operate with additional coalition partners to boost stability (Kiyoshi Ota, pool photo via AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged to take tougher measures against the misuse of political funds after he was re-elected by parliament following a major loss in the polls last month by his governing coalition.

Mr Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito together lost a majority in the 465-seat Lower House, the more powerful of Japan’s two-house parliament, in the October 27 election.