Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is shifting his economic policies to the left in a bid to broaden his appeal ahead of a key election this summer.
In stark contrast to his opening Abenomics salvo three years ago, which weakened the yen and boosted corporate profits and stock prices, the premier is now poised to unveil policies more attractive to poorer voters than big business. He'll unveil this package, called "a plan to promote dynamic engagement of all citizens," later this month.
Likely to be included is a proposal to mandate wage increases for part-time and temporary workers, scholarships for less wealthy students and improvements to child care and conditions for nursery school teachers. The policies initially were part of the platform of the main opposition Democratic Party, whose leader Katsuya Okada told reporters Wednesday that Abe opposed these policies until about a year ago.
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