Conservative former PM Shinzo Abe has been voted in as prime minister again by Japan's MPs, after his party's poll victory earlier this month, BBC News said.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner have a two-thirds majority in the lower house. The governing Democratic Party (DPJ) suffered major losses in the poll, with leader Yoshihiko Noda stepping down.

Abe, who was prime minister in 2006-07, is expected to form a new cabinet later on Wednesday, December 26.

Abe, 58, has called for Japan's pacifist constitution to be revised and patriotic sentiment nurtured.

This time round Abe campaigned on a platform promising an end to years of economic stagnation, with more public spending and a looser monetary policy.

But some economists say there is little new in Abe's policies, or "Abenomics" as they have been called.

He has also said he would allow nuclear energy a role in Japan's future despite last year's disaster.