As was widely expected, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won Thursday*s presidential election to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, allowing him to continue as prime minister for up to three more years if all goes according to the party*s plans.

But now that the votes are in, is there much for Abe to celebrate?

Thursday*s victory brings with it the start of a highly risky political battle for him, experts say, if not the beginning of the end of his administration 〞 which has already lasted for nearly six years.