Voting Begins in Japan’s Lower House Election Amid Political Reforms and Scandal

Tokyo: Voting began on Sunday for Japan's Lower House election, with approximately 45,000 polling stations opening across the nation. The election is a critical test for new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who seeks public endorsement of his political reforms following a funds scandal involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). According to Kuwait News Agency, more than 1,300 candidates are competing for 465 seats, with 289 elected from single-seat constituencies and 176 through proportional representation across 11 regions. An estimated 142 million Japanese citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to cast their votes, with results anticipated by Monday morning. Prime Minister Ishiba, aged 67, assumed office on October 1 and dissolved the Lower House on October 9. As LDP President, Ishiba has stated that he will consider it a victory if the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, secure a combined majority of 233 seats. Prior to the election, the LDP held 256 seats, while Komeito had 32 in the 465-me mber chamber, which has the authority to appoint a prime minister. This election marks the first Lower House parliamentary election since October 2021, when the LDP-led coalition achieved a comfortable victory in the chamber.