DHAKA: Japan’s ruling coalition has won a new two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policy.

Japanese media reported that Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) retained its House of Representatives majority.

The LDP will govern with the Buddhist-backed Komeito party after the parties won 325 seats out of 475.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the snap vote to secure support for his “Abenomics” economic reforms.

Public broadcaster NHK said the LDP had won 290 seats, with Komeito taking 35.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, won 73 seats, an increase of 11, NHK said.

BDST: 0917 HRS, DEC 15, 2014