Japanese[/B] voters today began voting to renew half of the upper house seats, an election overshadowed by the assassination two days ago of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign rally in Nara.
Japan's current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, whose Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) appears favourite in the election, denounced the "barbaric" act against his former mentor, but insisted on the importance of "defending free and fair elections that are the basis of democracy."
"We will never succumb to violence," he said.
The assassination of Abe, one of Japan's best-known politicians, caused shock in the country and abroad.
After being suspended following news of the assassination, election campaigning resumed yesterday Saturday under heightened security measures after police in Nara admitted "undeniable" security lapses at Abe's rally.
The campaign is dominated by domestic issues, notably rising prices and risks to electricity supply, as the heatwave that has hit Japan since late June raises fears of power shortages.
The ruling coalition, which includes the 64-year-old Kishida's LDP and its ally the Komeito party, looks set to win more than 70 seats out of 125 up for renewal. The Senate has a total of 248 seats, half of which are renewed every three years.
As it has not presented an attractive alternative, the centre-left Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) risks losing some of the 45 seats it holds and its position as the main opposition party.
In a country often criticised for the lack of women in politics, institutions and business, a record 33% of the 545 candidates are women.
A big win in this election would consolidate Kishida's power three years before the next election.
Source: AMP, AFP, Reuters
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