Prime Minister Abe’s prolonged tenure, Research Director Sota Kato told the Straits Times, resulted in a concentration of policymaking powers in the Prime Minister’s Office and better policymaking efficiency.

“The political had been such,” he said, “that that I could never imagine the administration ever overcoming the strong opposition of the farm lobby and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries to conclude the TPP.”

“Abe resigns: Japan's longest-serving leader leaves behind much unfinished business,” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/abes-secure-but-spotty-legacy-as-japans-longest-serving-leader

Profile of Research Director Sota Kato
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=29