Parliamentary election in Japan underway, voters to decide fate of Ishiba's govt

Voting for the parliamentary election in Japan began early Sunday (Oct 27). Voters will decide the fate of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government in the election that is expected to punish his coalition over a funding scandal and inflation, potentially ending a decade of dominance for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Citing opinion polls, a report by the news agency Reuters said that the LDP and its long-time partner Komeito would suffer a drubbing from voters, with the coalition possibly losing its parliamentary majority.

Losing the majority in the Lower House (of Parliament) would force Prime Minister Ishiba into power-sharing negotiations with smaller parties, bringing uncertainty in some policy areas.

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Ishiba became the prime minister last month and called for a snap election in Japan.

What do the voters have to say?

Speaking to news agency Reuters, 62-year-old voter Masakazu Yamamoto said, "Given the current international situation, I have expectations toward the LDP in terms of their long-standing diplomacy. We have had many natural disasters and young people have also been facing a significant difficult situation."

"Social issues become more pronounced. So, I hope the LDP will transform itself so that the country itself can change," Yamamoto added. 

Another voter, 38-year-old Atsuko Takahashi- who voted for the LDP, said, "I think right now many people are concerned about the rising prices and issues such as consumption tax, so I feel the party that is strongly addressing these issues and showing capabilities to make progress in such areas look more appealing."

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Takeshi Ito, a supporter of the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), said that the party was focused on ultimately making the country better and ensuring financial resources were allocated more appropriately.

What happens if Ishiba's coalition loses the majority?

If Ishiba's coalition loses its majority, the LDP would need the backing of at least one other party.

Reuters reported that the party's potential coalition partners could be the DPP and the Japan Innovation Party, but both have proposed policies at odds with the LDP line.

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The DPP has called for halving Japan's 10 per cent sales tax until real wages rise, a policy not endorsed by the LDP, while the Innovation Party has pledged tougher donation rules to clean up politics.

DPP party chief Yuichiro Tamaki has so far rejected the idea of working with an LDP-led coalition. Innovation Party head Nobuyuki Baba has not ruled out a partnership.

Jeffrey Hall, an expert on Japanese politics at the Kanda University of International Studies, told Reuters that would be considerably weakened as a leader.

"...his party will be weakened in the policies that it particularly wants to focus on because bringing in a coalition partner will cause them to have to make certain compromises with that party, whatever party it may be," Hall said. 

(With inputs from agencies)