The ruling party faces a difficult hurdle.

This morning, October 27th, Japanese voters began casting their ballots to elect 465 seats in the lower house of parliament. The early election is taking place amid concerns that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, may face significant challenges.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru waves to voters during a meeting in Tokyo on October 26. (Source: Reuters)

Starting at 7:00 AM local time today, October 27th, voters in 47 prefectures across Japan began casting their ballots to elect their representatives in the country's 50th general election.

This is a significant event in Japan's political and social life, but there is still a possibility that voter turnout will remain low, as in some previous elections.

This election features 1,344 candidates, not only from the nine political parties currently holding seats in the Lower House, but also from candidates who do not belong to any political party. It is a fierce race among politicians to win 465 positions representing over 126 million Japanese citizens.

Attention is now focused on the question of whether Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will retain its majority in the lower house, as surveys from media outlets indicate that the coalition of the LDP and the Komeito Party faces significant obstacles.

The general election took place after Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, announced the dissolution of the lower house on October 9th and the holding of early elections. Ishiba affirmed that he would restore public confidence in politics and promote key policies.

According to Kyodo News , out of 465 seats, voters will directly elect 289 candidates. The remaining 176 seats will be divided into 11 proportional constituencies, and voters will cast their ballots for their respective parties.

The ruling party or coalition would need to win at least 233 seats to secure a majority. Before the dissolution of the lower house, the LDP-led coalition had won 288 seats.

Meanwhile, the LDP enters this snap election facing numerous challenges, including regaining public trust after the internal political funding scandal at the end of 2023.

Japanese voters began casting their ballots in the general election on the morning of October 27. (Source: EPA)

Furthermore, in the final days of this year's election campaign, the LDP faced further criticism. Kyodo News reported on October 24th that the LDP was found to have transferred campaign support funds to several local branches, led by individuals involved in a political funding scandal and not officially endorsed by the party. LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi stated that the money was not sent for campaign purposes but as part of the operating costs of the local branches, thereby expanding the party's influence.

Japanese political experts believe that while providing financial support to the local branch is legally sound, it could damage the LDP's image in the eyes of voters, suggesting they are implicitly supporting those involved in the scandal.

The Japan Times reported on October 27 that Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, in the final stages of his campaign, has intensified his efforts to convince the public that the LDP remains a reliable choice to lead the country.

Speaking to supporters in Tokyo on October 26, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru said, "We cannot allow the country to fall into the hands of the opposition, who cannot tell voters how they will act on issues such as the economy , the Constitution, or social welfare."

Meanwhile, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) has a great opportunity to increase its number of seats in the lower house and replace the ruling party. The CDP has strongly criticized the LDP regarding the ruling party's handling of political funding scandals.

CDP leader Noda Yoshihiko has repeatedly stated that preventing the ruling coalition from securing a majority could provide impetus to Japan's political landscape.

The election results are expected to be announced on October 28th.

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