From the Wall Street Journal, in brief:

  • Abe’s LDP defeated in a vote on Sunday for a governor’s seat in Shiga prefecture

Cites

  • Abe’s controversial push to ease restrictions on the country’s military
  • And his plan to restart idled nuclear reactors

Adds:

  • Mr. Abe retains tremendous political strength, and the loss in one regional election won’t likely do much to undermine his clout.

More details at (The Wall Street Journal is often gated, so if you’re unable to access the article try a search of Google news using the headline): Japan’s Ruling Party Loses Regional Election