Amid money scandal posing challenge to new PM Ishiba, Japan heads to polls

Tokyo: As the ruling party's handling of campaign funding comes under increasing criticism, newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking a new mandate in a general election that kicked off voting Sunday throughout Japan, according to local media.

In the 465-member House of Representatives, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito, its junior coalition partner, are trying to hold onto a majority. Nonetheless, according to Kyodo News surveys, they are dealing with serious difficulties.

In Japan's first general election since 2021, voters will cast two ballots each -- one for a candidate in a single-seat constituency and another for a party in proportional representation. Final results are anticipated by early Monday, reports Kyodo News.

A total of 1,300 candidates are competing for the 465 seats -- 289 in single-seat districts and 176 through proportional representation.

Ishiba dissolved the lower house on October 9, just eight days after taking office, pledging to restore public trust in politics and advance key policy initiatives.

The 67-year-old premier has promised to ease the inflationary burden on households, bolster national defence against regional threats, and enhance regional economies and disaster resilience.

However, during the 12-day campaign, the LDP faced backlash after reports emerged that the party provided 20 million yen (approximately $132,000) to local branches led by members who lacked official party backing due to a slush funds scandal.

The scandal has shadowed the LDP since late 2023, eroding public support to levels that ultimately led Ishiba's predecessor, Fumio Kishida, to step down and clear the way for a leadership change.

The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), hopes to leverage public discontent with the LDP, which has governed Japan for most of the postwar period.

Prior to the recent dissolution, the ruling camp controlled the more powerful lower house with 288 seats, comfortably above the majority threshold of 233. The LDP held 256 seats, while the CDPJ had 98.

To achieve its long-sought goal of amending Japan's Constitution, the LDP must secure a two-thirds majority, or 310 seats, allowing them to propose a revision ahead of a national referendum.

With inputs from IANS