The ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat in Sunday's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to quickly get the Cabinet and the LDP back on their feet.

"We have to take the election results seriously as a severe scolding of the LDP by the public and profoundly reflect upon this," Abe told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday morning. "The LDP must make whole-party efforts to restore public confidence in the party by producing results."

The Cabinet's approval rating is declining, and Abe plans to reorganize the government by reshuffling the Cabinet and the LDP leadership.

Referring to the cause of his party's defeat, the prime minister said: "I think the results may reflect the public's strict criticism of the lack of discipline in this administration. We have to take it seriously."

Saying the Cabinet has many challenges to tackle, Abe said, "We have to deeply reflect on what needs to be reflected on, and we should humbly and carefully, but surely, move ahead with what needs to be done," he said. The comment apparently indicates his intention to boost his administration by steadily implementing policies.

Abe later attended an ad-hoc meeting of LDP executives at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, where he said, "The party must reflect on the results of the election seriously and make united efforts," confirming his policy to gravely accept the election results and make whole-party efforts to restore confidence.

Source: ANNnewsCH