Abe becomes Japan's new prime minister

TOKYO - Shinzo Abe, the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected Japan's new prime minister in the lower house of parliament on Wednesday.

Abe, who held the post from 2006 to 2007, will immediately unveil his new cabinet.

The leader of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe (C) is applauded by his party members after being elected as Japan's Prime Minister at the Lower House of the Parliament in Tokyo Dec 26, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

In the election, Abe gained 328 votes from 478 valid votes in the 480-seat lower house.

The LDP and its coalition partner hold 325 seats in the more powerful lower house after winning a landslide victory in the December 16 election.

In the first round of election in the upper house, Abe failed to gain more than half of votes in the 242-seat chamber, but it will not obstruct Abe from becoming Japan's new prime minister.