Oct 31 (NHK) - Japan is voting in its first general election in the pandemic era. It's an early test for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who took office less than a month ago.
Voters are choosing the next members of the Diet's powerful Lower House. By 8 p.m., all polling stations will be closed.
All 465 seats are in play. 289 members will be elected in single-seat districts. Another 176 will be selected through a system of proportional representation.
The ruling coalition went into the election with 305 seats. The Prime Minister has said he will consider it a victory if his Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito secure a majority -- 233 seats.
Opposition parties want to take power from the bloc by unifying under one candidate in many single-seat districts.
