Japan is holding parliamentary elections today, as voters across the nation decide who will lead the country’s government in a race that has proven to be exceptionally tight for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Recent polls indicate that the conservative LDP, which has long been a dominant force in Japanese politics, might fall short of the majority needed to govern independently. At a rally on Saturday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the LDP's commitment to transparency, telling supporters, "We want to start afresh as a fair, just and sincere party, and seek your mandate."

The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), Japan's second-largest party, is led by former Prime Minister Toshihiko Noda, who criticized the LDP's approach to policymaking. "The LDP’s politics is all about quickly implementing policies for those who give them loads of cash. But those in vulnerable positions, who can't offer cash, have been ignored," Noda said at a rally on Saturday.

This snap election was called by Ishiba after his narrow selection as LDP leader in September. He assumed leadership following former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's resignation in August. Kishida’s departure came amid a scandal that shook the party: investigations revealed that several LDP politicians had secretly amassed slush funds totaling around 600 million yen ($4.1 million) over the years. This scandal led to multiple dismissals and arrests of political aides and accountants.

As election day unfolds, many Japanese citizens remain frustrated over the repercussions of the scandal, alongside economic challenges such as rising prices. Some projections suggest that the LDP, along with its coalition partner Komeito, may struggle to secure the 233 seats in the lower house required for a majority. Failing to meet this threshold could weaken Ishiba’s standing within the party, potentially pushing the LDP toward new coalition talks or even leading to a minority government.

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