In a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plans for economic reform, including agriculture policy, his party’s candidate for governor in heavily agricultural Saga prefecture was defeated in weekend elections. The victor was backed by groups that oppose the farm reforms. “The defeat could bode ill for the administration ahead of nationwide local elections this spring,” said Bloomberg. Abe’s party won a large victory in parliamentary elections last month, a result that was expected to free Abe a free hand on economic policy, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, where U.S. negotiators are pressing for more access for U.S. food imports.