Incumbent Japanese government retains two-thirds majority in election

Japan's public television NHK says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition has retained a two-thirds majority in the 465-member lower house in today's election.

NHK says Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito together have won 312 seats, exceeding the benchmark for supermajority at 310.

The results, though still unofficial, boosts chances for a revision to Japan's war-renouncing constitution, a long-cherished goal of Abe and his nationalistic supporters.

Official results won't be available until later today.

Any change to Japan's constitution, which has never been amended, requires approval first by two-thirds of both houses of parliament, and then in a public referendum.

Abe's ruling coalition already has the two-thirds majority in the less-powerful upper house. Polls, however, indicate that the Japanese public remains opposed to amendment.