Parliament win gives Abe a free hand

The sweeping victory Japan's ruling coalition secured in the Lower House election on Sunday heralds a big change in Japan, for better or for worse.

The two coalition parties - the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito - will chair all the committees in the more powerful chamber of Japan's parliament, they can even override decisions by the Upper House, and Shinzo Abe will be sworn in as prime minister for the third time.

The third Abe administration now has a free hand in all issues, be they social, economic, security or diplomatic.