Voting continues for Japan's lower house, the prestige of the Liberal Democratic Party led by PM Shigeru Ishiba is at stake.

Tokyo: Voting began on Sunday for Japan's House of Representatives, considered vital to the country's political stability at a time of economic uncertainty, challenging foreign relations environment and public discontent. The election is a battle for a stable majority in Japan's lower house, with a strong focus on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito bloc – which has ruled Japan in the post-war period – seeking new leadership following the resignation of Fumio Kishida. Is in the election under.

According to a recent survey, the ruling coalition is expected to lose its majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years. Such a situation could create a level of political instability reminiscent of the Japan Times report of the 1990s. The vote is seen as an early referendum on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's newly formed administration, which he risked by calling a snap election just nine days after taking office on October 1.

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This election is the first nationwide poll following a significant slush fund scandal. Which had shaken LDP, a major player in the political scene in the last years. During the campaign in recent days, Ishiba has stepped up his rhetoric against the opposition, The Japan Times reports. So as to convince the public that the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is still the most credible option for governance. “We cannot leave our country in the hands of an opposition that is not able to tell voters how it is going to act on issues such as the economy, the Constitution or social security,” Ishiba said during a campaign stop in Tokyo on Saturday. Used to be.

Election is on 465 seats

Before the dissolution of the lower house, the alliance had a comfortable majority of 288 seats in the house. Which was much more than the 233 required for a simple majority. The number of seats contested in the election is 465, including single-seat districts and proportional seats. The public reaction to the new administration has been lukewarm. A strong performance in the upcoming election will give Ishiba the political support he needs to pursue his agenda and strengthen his position within the party.

However, according to the Japan Times, the LDP is facing its most challenging election in more than a decade. The final days of the campaign have been dogged by controversy over the allocation of party political funds to local chapters, with candidates linked to the funds scandal contesting the elections despite not receiving formal endorsement. Buddhist group-backed Komeito is also struggling to retain its single-seat constituencies in Kansai, one of its traditional strongholds. Even party leader Keiichi Ishii faces an uphill battle in his own Saitama constituency.

Ruling party in worst political crisis

If the LDP loses its majority in the lower house, it will enter its worst political crisis since 2009, leading to a period of political discord and instability. In that case, Komeito and LDP may have to start talks to bring a third party into the alliance.

Al Jazeera cited a recent Asahi survey which suggested that the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), is consolidating its position and could win 140 seats in the election, up from its current total of 98. while the LDP could potentially lose 50 of its 247 seats.

According to the Pew Research Center, only 30 percent of Japanese people surveyed in March had a positive view of the LDP, while 68 percent had an unfavorable view of the party. But the opposition fared no better in public opinion, as only 29 percent of those surveyed had a positive view of the CDPJ.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) described the election as “crucial” for both the LDP and Ishiba, as it will help gauge public trust in the wake of recent scandals and rising economic concerns, Al Jazeera reported .

ANFREL said this will be an important indicator of whether the LDP can regain public confidence and maintain its dominance or whether opposition parties can take advantage of public discontent. The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) is also aiming to shore up its support by promoting an image of credibility and stability, according to Craig Mark, an assistant professor at Hosei University in Tokyo.

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According to Al Jazeera, if the LDP fails to maintain its electoral position in the ruling coalition, Ishiba's leadership will be questioned, increasing the risk of continued political instability in Japan in an environment of economic uncertainty and challenging foreign relations. Analysts have also pointed to the health of Japan's defensive capabilities amid rising regional tensions with neighboring China, Russia and North Korea. (Source- ANI)