Japan's ruling coalition has retained its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-shinzo-abe-claims-victory-in-upper-house-election-237538">grip on the country's upper house</a>, but failed to secure a "supermajority" that would ease the path to constitutional reform, results showed Monday.

The outcome of Sunday's election means Shinzo Abe remains on track to become the country's longest-serving prime minister later this year, and shores up his mandate ahead of a tax hike in October.

He fell short however of achieving a "supermajority" of two-thirds of the seats in the upper house, a result that could have helped him achieve a long-running goal of amending the country's pacifist constitution.

But experts said that since many within Abe's coalition are uneasy about the plans, the failure to secure a supermajority was unlikely to change the prime minister's calculations significantly.

"Losing the supermajority is not necessarily a major setback for Abe," wrote analyst Tobias Harris of the Teneo consultancy group in a note.

"Instead, by leading the ruling coalition to another national election victory -– his sixth in his nearly seven years as LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) leader –- Abe has cemented his status atop Japan's political system," Harris added.

Abe's LDP and its coalition partner Komeito took 71 of the 124 seats up for grabs in Sunday's vote, accounting for about half of the upper chamber.

The two parties already control 70 seats in the other half of the 245-seat chamber that was not being contested.

Analysts said Abe's coalition has benefitted from a weak opposition, and voter turnout underscored apathy in the electorate, falling below 50 percent for the first time since a 1995 upper house election.

Abe has long harboured dreams of revising the constitution, which prohibits the country from waging war and maintaining a military.

But public support for revising the document is low and there is discomfort with the idea even among the ruling coalition.

Japan's ruling coalition has retained its grip on the country's upper house, but failed to secure a "supermajority" that would ease the path to constitutional reform, results showed Monday.

Japan's ruling coalition has retained its grip on the country's upper house, but failed to secure a "supermajority" that would ease the path to constitutional reform, results showed Monday. The outcome of Sunday's election means Shinzo Abe remains on track to become the country's longest-serving prime minister later this year, and shores up his mandate ahead of a tax hike in October. He fell short however of achieving a "supermajority" of two-thirds of the seats in the upper house, a result that could have helped him achieve a long-running goal of amending the country's pacifist constitution. But experts said that since many within Abe's coalition are uneasy about the plans, the failure to secure a supermajority was unlikely to change the prime minister's calculations significantly. "Losing the supermajority is not necessarily a major setback for Abe," wrote analyst Tobias Harris of the Teneo consultancy group in a note. "Instead, by leading the ruling coalition to another national election victory -– his sixth in his nearly seven years as LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) leader –- Abe has cemented his status atop Japan's political system," Harris added. Abe's LDP and its coalition partner Komeito took 71 of the 124 seats up for grabs in Sunday's vote, accounting for about half of the upper chamber. The two parties already control 70 seats in the other half of the 245-seat chamber that was not being contested. Analysts said Abe's coalition has benefitted from a weak opposition, and voter turnout underscored apathy in the electorate, falling below 50 percent for the first time since a 1995 upper house election. Abe has long harboured dreams of revising the constitution, which prohibits the country from waging war and maintaining a military. But public support for revising the document is low and there is discomfort with the idea even among the ruling coalition.

Japan's Shinzo Abe keeps upper house grip but no 'supermajority'

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed victory Sunday for his ruling coalition in the upper house election but appeared to fail to secure a "supermajority" in the chamber in support of his dream to amend the nation's pacifist constitution.

With the results, the 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, aims to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington.

"The ruling parties were given a majority ... as people decided to urge us to firmly push for policies under the stable political base," Abe told public broadcaster NHK.

"I want to meet their expectations soundly," he said at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party.

Abe's LDP and its coalition partner Komeito are forecast to take at least 69 of the 124 seats -- about half the chamber -- up for election on Sunday, with six seats still undecided, according to NHK.

The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the 245-seat chamber that is not being contested, putting them on track to maintain their overall majority.

NHK's projection and similar estimates by other media are based on exit polling and other analysis.&nbsp;

Final numbers were not expected until Monday at the earliest.

"The results, which were within expectations, indicated that voters chose the status quo, not a change," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP.

Abe is almost certain to stay in power until November when he will break the record for the nation's longest-serving premier held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913.

Amend the constitution

Local media also predicted that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, were certain to fail to reach 85 of the seats up for grabs, which would give them a two-thirds "supermajority" in the chamber.

Following the vote, however, Abe said he would continue trying to expand support for the revision even if the pro-revision group eventually misses the target, necessary for proposing a constitutional amendment.

Abe has pledged to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military.

The provisions, imposed by the United States after World War II, are popular with the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive.

However, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum.

While the ruling coalition appeared to win voters' confidence, "tough situations are still ahead," said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

Among his imminent tasks is to "smoothly" raise the consumption tax to 10 per cent in October as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country, Nakakita said.

"Also, the trade dispute with the US is a headache while it's hard for Japan to make a decision on Hormuz," he said, referring to the US calls for an international flotilla to escort oil tankers through the Hormuz Strait.

Voter turnout was expected to be lower than 50 per cent for the first time since the 1995 upper house election, NHK said.

"I support the current government because I see no alternative," said Yoshiko Iida, a 45-year-old beauty therapist.

"Opposition parties are woeful," she told AFP. "I don't want to leave power to them."

Susumu Rokkaku, an 85-year-old male pensioner, said: "I voted for an opposition candidate but whoever is elected, nothing will change. I have no expectations.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed victory Sunday for his ruling coalition in the upper house election but appeared to fail to secure a "supermajority" in the chamber in support of his dream to amend the nation's pacifist constitution.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed victory Sunday for his ruling coalition in the upper house election but appeared to fail to secure a "supermajority" in the chamber in support of his dream to amend the nation's pacifist constitution. With the results, the 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, aims to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington. "The ruling parties were given a majority ... as people decided to urge us to firmly push for policies under the stable political base," Abe told public broadcaster NHK. "I want to meet their expectations soundly," he said at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party. Abe's LDP and its coalition partner Komeito are forecast to take at least 69 of the 124 seats -- about half the chamber -- up for election on Sunday, with six seats still undecided, according to NHK. The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the 245-seat chamber that is not being contested, putting them on track to maintain their overall majority. NHK's projection and similar estimates by other media are based on exit polling and other analysis. Final numbers were not expected until Monday at the earliest. "The results, which were within expectations, indicated that voters chose the status quo, not a change," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP. Abe is almost certain to stay in power until November when he will break the record for the nation's longest-serving premier held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913. Amend the constitution Local media also predicted that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, were certain to fail to reach 85 of the seats up for grabs, which would give them a two-thirds "supermajority" in the chamber. Following the vote, however, Abe said he would continue trying to expand support for the revision even if the pro-revision group eventually misses the target, necessary for proposing a constitutional amendment. Abe has pledged to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military. The provisions, imposed by the United States after World War II, are popular with the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive. However, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum. While the ruling coalition appeared to win voters' confidence, "tough situations are still ahead," said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. Among his imminent tasks is to "smoothly" raise the consumption tax to 10 per cent in October as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country, Nakakita said. "Also, the trade dispute with the US is a headache while it's hard for Japan to make a decision on Hormuz," he said, referring to the US calls for an international flotilla to escort oil tankers through the Hormuz Strait. Voter turnout was expected to be lower than 50 per cent for the first time since the 1995 upper house election, NHK said. "I support the current government because I see no alternative," said Yoshiko Iida, a 45-year-old beauty therapist. "Opposition parties are woeful," she told AFP. "I don't want to leave power to them." Susumu Rokkaku, an 85-year-old male pensioner, said: "I voted for an opposition candidate but whoever is elected, nothing will change. I have no expectations.

Japan's Shinzo Abe claims victory in upper house election

Two wheelchair-bound candidates won seats in Japan`s upper house vote on Sunday, media projections showed, a sign of changing attitudes towards disabled people in a country where they have long been encouraged to stay in the shadow.

Yasuhiko Funago, a vice president of a company that provides elderly and patient care, has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease in which patients gradually lose control of most of their muscles.

Although a lower house lawmaker in the past was diagnosed with ALS after winning a seat, no one had previously begun a career in parliament after being diagnosed with the disease, according to the Japan ALS Association.

The other candidate is Eiko Kimura, who has cerebral palsy. Both of them were running from a small opposition group, the Reiwa Shinsengumi.&nbsp;

"We will of course have specialists accompany them and look after them," Taro Yamamoto, head of the Reiwa Shinsengumi, told a commercial broadcaster after polls closed on Sunday evening.

"But primary responsibility to take care them falls on parliament, which will be called on to provide them with reasonable accommodation."

Besides Funago and Kimura, Rie Saito, who lost her hearing as an infant, was running from the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.&nbsp;

Media had not yet called her race, but if Saito wins, she will be the first deaf member of parliament in post-World War Two Japan.

Experts in disability issues said before Sunday`s election that these rare candidacies were welcome developments but also were intended to signal greater change is needed, even as Japan prepares to host the Paralympic Games next year.

During the election campaign, Funago and Kimura said they would seek education reforms as lawmakers to help create a society where people with disabilities can lead better lives.&nbsp;

People with physical or intellectual disability as well as with mental disorder, account for about 8% of the Japanese population.

Two wheelchair-bound candidates won seats in Japan`s upper house vote on Sunday, media projections showed, a sign of changing attitudes towards disabled people in a country where they have long been encouraged to stay in the shadow.

Two wheelchair-bound candidates won seats in Japan`s upper house vote on Sunday, media projections showed, a sign of changing attitudes towards disabled people in a country where they have long been encouraged to stay in the shadow. Yasuhiko Funago, a vice president of a company that provides elderly and patient care, has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease in which patients gradually lose control of most of their muscles. Although a lower house lawmaker in the past was diagnosed with ALS after winning a seat, no one had previously begun a career in parliament after being diagnosed with the disease, according to the Japan ALS Association. The other candidate is Eiko Kimura, who has cerebral palsy. Both of them were running from a small opposition group, the Reiwa Shinsengumi. "We will of course have specialists accompany them and look after them," Taro Yamamoto, head of the Reiwa Shinsengumi, told a commercial broadcaster after polls closed on Sunday evening. "But primary responsibility to take care them falls on parliament, which will be called on to provide them with reasonable accommodation." Besides Funago and Kimura, Rie Saito, who lost her hearing as an infant, was running from the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Media had not yet called her race, but if Saito wins, she will be the first deaf member of parliament in post-World War Two Japan. Experts in disability issues said before Sunday`s election that these rare candidacies were welcome developments but also were intended to signal greater change is needed, even as Japan prepares to host the Paralympic Games next year. During the election campaign, Funago and Kimura said they would seek education reforms as lawmakers to help create a society where people with disabilities can lead better lives. People with physical or intellectual disability as well as with mental disorder, account for about 8% of the Japanese population.

Two severely-disabled candidates win seats in Japan upper house vote

Japanese voters cast ballots Sunday in an upper house election, with Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc looking to protect its majority and keep on track plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution.

The 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, is also hoping to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington.

Opinion polls suggest his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are likely to win a majority, mostly due to a lacklustre opposition.

Sunday's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country open at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday).

The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm, with pollsters suggesting turnout could be lower than 50 per cent -- significantly less than usual.

Abe's ruling coalition is forecast to win a solid majority of the 124 seats contested in the election, according to pre-election surveys.

The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the chamber that is not being contested, meaning the projections put them on track to maintain their overall majority in the body.

"Abe's strength is largely based on passive support resulting from disarray in the opposition camp and a lack of rivals," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP.

A win means Abe should be able to stay in power until November when he will break the record of the nation's longest-serving premiership held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913.

Amend constitution

During campaigns, Abe's ruling coalition has sought to win voter support for a rise in the nation's consumption tax to 10 per cent later this year as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country.

Abe is also hoping that his coalition and a loose group of conservatives from smaller opposition parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the support to move ahead with plans to amend the constitution's provisions on the military.

"This is an election to decide whether to pick parties who take responsibility for firm discussions on the constitution," Abe told voters in a campaign speech earlier this month.

Abe vowed to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military.

The provisions, imposed by the US forces after World War II, are popular in the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive.

Local media predict that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, are likely to win close to 85 of the seats being contested, giving them a "supermajority" in the chamber.

"Since the ruling coalition is widely expected to win the election, attention is now focused on whether the pro-revision forces can win a two-thirds majority," Nishikawa said.

But even if Abe secures it, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum -- a result that is far from guaranteed.

Japanese voters cast ballots Sunday in an upper house election, with Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc looking to protect its majority and keep on track plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution.

Japanese voters cast ballots Sunday in an upper house election, with Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc looking to protect its majority and keep on track plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution. The 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, is also hoping to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington. Opinion polls suggest his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are likely to win a majority, mostly due to a lacklustre opposition. Sunday's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country open at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday). The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm, with pollsters suggesting turnout could be lower than 50 per cent -- significantly less than usual. Abe's ruling coalition is forecast to win a solid majority of the 124 seats contested in the election, according to pre-election surveys. The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the chamber that is not being contested, meaning the projections put them on track to maintain their overall majority in the body. "Abe's strength is largely based on passive support resulting from disarray in the opposition camp and a lack of rivals," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP. A win means Abe should be able to stay in power until November when he will break the record of the nation's longest-serving premiership held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913. Amend constitution During campaigns, Abe's ruling coalition has sought to win voter support for a rise in the nation's consumption tax to 10 per cent later this year as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country. Abe is also hoping that his coalition and a loose group of conservatives from smaller opposition parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the support to move ahead with plans to amend the constitution's provisions on the military. "This is an election to decide whether to pick parties who take responsibility for firm discussions on the constitution," Abe told voters in a campaign speech earlier this month. Abe vowed to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military. The provisions, imposed by the US forces after World War II, are popular in the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive. Local media predict that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, are likely to win close to 85 of the seats being contested, giving them a "supermajority" in the chamber. "Since the ruling coalition is widely expected to win the election, attention is now focused on whether the pro-revision forces can win a two-thirds majority," Nishikawa said. But even if Abe secures it, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum -- a result that is far from guaranteed.

Japan votes in upper house election

Japanese voters cast ballots Sunday in an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-votes-in-upper-house-election-237359">upper house election</a>, with Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc looking to protect its majority and keep on track plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution.

The 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, is also hoping to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington.

Opinion polls suggest his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are likely to win a majority, mostly due to a lacklustre opposition.

Sunday's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament.

Voting began across the country at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday) with the outcome expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm.

Pollsters suggested turnout could be lower than 50 per cent, significantly less than usual.

"I support the current government because I see no alternative," said Yoshiko Iida, a 45-year-old beauty therapist.

"Opposition parties are woeful," she told AFP. "I don't want to leave power to them."

Susumu Rokkaku, an 85-year-old male pensioner, said,&nbsp;"I voted for an opposition candidate but whoever is elected, nothing will change. I have no expectations."

Abe's ruling coalition is forecast to win a solid majority of the 124 seats up for grabs, according to pre-election surveys.

The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the chamber that is not being contested, putting them on track to maintain their overall majority.

"Abe's strength is largely based on passive support resulting from disarray in the opposition camp and a lack of rivals," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP.

If he wins, Abe should be able to stay in power until November when he will break the record of the nation's longest-serving premiership held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913.

Amend constitution

During campaigns, Abe's ruling coalition has sought to win voter support for a rise in the nation's consumption tax to 10 per cent later this year as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country.

Abe is hoping that his coalition and a loose group of conservatives from smaller opposition parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the support to move ahead with plans to amend the constitution's provisions on the military.

Abe vowed earlier this month to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military.

The provisions, imposed by the United States after World War II, are popular with the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive.

Local media predict that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, are likely to win close to 85 of the seats up for grabs, giving them a "supermajority" in the chamber.

"Since the ruling coalition is widely expected to win the election, attention is now focused on whether the pro-revision forces can win a two-thirds majority," Nishikawa said.

However, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum.

Voter turnout stood at 18.02 per cent as of 2:00 pm (0500 GMT), down 4.52 points from the 2016 election.

But early voting hit a record 14 million by Friday, accounting for some 13 per cent of the nation's eligible voters, according to the government.

Japanese voters cast ballots Sunday in an upper house election, with Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc looking to protect its majority and keep on track plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution. The 64-year-old Abe, who is on course to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, is also hoping to shore up his mandate ahead of a crucial consumption tax hike later this year, along with trade negotiations with Washington. Opinion polls suggest his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are likely to win a majority, mostly due to a lacklustre opposition. Sunday's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament. Voting began across the country at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday) with the outcome expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm. Pollsters suggested turnout could be lower than 50 per cent, significantly less than usual. "I support the current government because I see no alternative," said Yoshiko Iida, a 45-year-old beauty therapist. "Opposition parties are woeful," she told AFP. "I don't want to leave power to them." Susumu Rokkaku, an 85-year-old male pensioner, said, "I voted for an opposition candidate but whoever is elected, nothing will change. I have no expectations." Abe's ruling coalition is forecast to win a solid majority of the 124 seats up for grabs, according to pre-election surveys. The two parties control 70 seats in the half of the chamber that is not being contested, putting them on track to maintain their overall majority. "Abe's strength is largely based on passive support resulting from disarray in the opposition camp and a lack of rivals," Shinichi Nishikawa, professor of political science at Meiji University in Tokyo, told AFP. If he wins, Abe should be able to stay in power until November when he will break the record of the nation's longest-serving premiership held by Taro Katsura, a revered politician who served three times between 1901 and 1913. Amend constitution During campaigns, Abe's ruling coalition has sought to win voter support for a rise in the nation's consumption tax to 10 per cent later this year as part of efforts to ease swelling social security costs in the "ultra-aged" country. Abe is hoping that his coalition and a loose group of conservatives from smaller opposition parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the support to move ahead with plans to amend the constitution's provisions on the military. Abe vowed earlier this month to "clearly stipulate the role of the Self-Defence Forces in the constitution," which prohibits Japan from waging war and maintaining a military. The provisions, imposed by the United States after World War II, are popular with the public at large but reviled by nationalists like Abe, who see them as outdated and punitive. Local media predict that forces in favour of revising the constitution, led by Abe's LDP, are likely to win close to 85 of the seats up for grabs, giving them a "supermajority" in the chamber. "Since the ruling coalition is widely expected to win the election, attention is now focused on whether the pro-revision forces can win a two-thirds majority," Nishikawa said. However, any constitutional revision also requires approval in a national referendum. Voter turnout stood at 18.02 per cent as of 2:00 pm (0500 GMT), down 4.52 points from the 2016 election. But early voting hit a record 14 million by Friday, accounting for some 13 per cent of the nation's eligible voters, according to the government.

Japan's Shinzo Abe on course to retain majority in upper house election

Japanese voters headed to the polls today to cast their ballot in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&#39;s ruling party expected to cruise to victory despite lukewarm support. 
 
Abe, in power since late 2012, has yet to achieve a strong recovery in the world&#39;s third-largest economy nor his cherished goal of removing a war-renouncing clause from Japan&#39;s US-imposed constitution. 
 
But voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost his party and its conservative allies, due mostly to a lack of faith in the opposition. 
 
Today&#39;s vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday). 
 
The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm. 
 
Having been largely written off after a failed 2006-2007 stint as prime minister, Abe got a rare second chance when a left-leaning government collapsed in late 2012. 
 
He promised to end debilitating deflation through massive easy money and other steps -- so-called Abenomics -- while beefing up Japan&#39;s defence, promoting conservative values and vowing to revise the constitution. 
 
Initial results were favourable with stocks soaring and businesses reaping record profits as the yen fell, making Japanese companies more competitive. 
 
But the world&#39;s third-largest economy has since lurched from growth to contraction, with weak consumer inflation still weighing on sentiment. 
 
Voters backing Abe due to lack of alternatives&nbsp; 
 
In a poll last week, 41 per cent said they disapproved of Abe&#39;s economic policies, but support his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a less-than-resounding 37 per cent, far outpaced 11 per cent for the main opposition Democratic Party. 
 
&quot;As in past elections, voters are likely to passively endorse the Abe administration due to a lack of alternatives,&quot; said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. 
 
A wildcard this time is that Japan&#39;s voting age has been lowered from 20 to 18 to encourage young people to take part in politics but how they will vote, and in what numbers, remains to be seen. 
 
Abe is hoping that the coalition and a loose group of hawkish conservatives from smaller parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the strength to start amending the constitution. 
 
The document, which renounces Japan&#39;s right to wage war, is deplored by nationalists as a relic from Japan&#39;s World War II defeat. 
 
Still, many Japanese staunchly embrace its pacifist ideal. 
 
But any legislation that mustered the two-thirds majorities needed to pass both houses would face another hurdle in the form of a national referendum. 
 
 
Things to know: Japan&#39;s upper house election

<ul>
	<li>What is the upper house?</li>
</ul>
The House of Councillors, as it is formally known, is the smaller and less powerful side of Japan&#39;s bicameral legislature, or Diet. 
 
Its 242 members serve six-year terms, with elections every three years for half the seats.
<ul>
	<li>What does it do?</li>
</ul>
The body is designed for careful deliberation, somewhat similar to the US Senate, but lacks the power and prestige. 
 
Most legislation must pass it to become law, however its decisions can be overturned by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, though that rarely happens.
<ul>
	<li>Who can run and vote?</li>
</ul>
Japanese citizens over the age of 30 can run. Upper house elections tend to attract candidates with national fame, such as television personalities and athletes, regardless of their political experience and policy chops. 
 
For the first time, anyone over the age of 18 can vote. Previously the voting age was 20.
<ul>
	<li>What are the key issues?</li>
</ul>
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a member of the lower house, is not up for election. But voters will consider his steerage of the economy, which has yet to result in as robust a recovery as promised. 
 
His ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and other conservatives are aiming to gain enough seats to control two-thirds of the upper house, part of their controversial goal to amend Japan&#39;s war-renouncing constitution.
<ul>
	<li>What is the likely result?</li>
</ul>
The jury remains out on the prime minister&#39;s unconventional &quot;Abenomics&quot; economic policies in place for over 3 1/2 years, while many voters appear wary of revising the pacifist constitution. 
 
But burned by an unpopular 2009-2012 left-leaning government, voters are likely to stick to the status quo, with surveys pointing to Abe and his allies cruising to victory. 
 
Voters have in the past, however, used upper house elections to punish the ruling party. In 1998, then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned when the LDP fared poorly after a consumption tax increase delivered a body blow to the economy. 
 
Abe is highly likely to avoid such a fate as he recently announced a delay in a planned tax increase. 
 
 
(AFP)

Voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost Abe's party and its conservative allies, mostly due to a lack of faith in the opposition

Japanese voters headed to the polls today to cast their ballot in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party expected to cruise to victory despite lukewarm support. Abe, in power since late 2012, has yet to achieve a strong recovery in the world's third-largest economy nor his cherished goal of removing a war-renouncing clause from Japan's US-imposed constitution. But voters, despite misgivings, appear willing to boost his party and its conservative allies, due mostly to a lack of faith in the opposition. Today's vote is for half the seats in the House of Councillors -- the less powerful upper house of parliament -- and polling stations across the country opened at 7:00 am (2200 GMT Saturday). The vote outcome is expected to become clear shortly after the polls close at 8:00 pm. Having been largely written off after a failed 2006-2007 stint as prime minister, Abe got a rare second chance when a left-leaning government collapsed in late 2012. He promised to end debilitating deflation through massive easy money and other steps -- so-called Abenomics -- while beefing up Japan's defence, promoting conservative values and vowing to revise the constitution. Initial results were favourable with stocks soaring and businesses reaping record profits as the yen fell, making Japanese companies more competitive. But the world's third-largest economy has since lurched from growth to contraction, with weak consumer inflation still weighing on sentiment. Voters backing Abe due to lack of alternatives In a poll last week, 41 per cent said they disapproved of Abe's economic policies, but support his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a less-than-resounding 37 per cent, far outpaced 11 per cent for the main opposition Democratic Party. "As in past elections, voters are likely to passively endorse the Abe administration due to a lack of alternatives," said Koji Nakakita, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. A wildcard this time is that Japan's voting age has been lowered from 20 to 18 to encourage young people to take part in politics but how they will vote, and in what numbers, remains to be seen. Abe is hoping that the coalition and a loose group of hawkish conservatives from smaller parties can grab a two-thirds majority in the upper house, giving him the strength to start amending the constitution. The document, which renounces Japan's right to wage war, is deplored by nationalists as a relic from Japan's World War II defeat. Still, many Japanese staunchly embrace its pacifist ideal. But any legislation that mustered the two-thirds majorities needed to pass both houses would face another hurdle in the form of a national referendum. Things to know: Japan's upper house election What is the upper house? The House of Councillors, as it is formally known, is the smaller and less powerful side of Japan's bicameral legislature, or Diet. Its 242 members serve six-year terms, with elections every three years for half the seats. What does it do? The body is designed for careful deliberation, somewhat similar to the US Senate, but lacks the power and prestige. Most legislation must pass it to become law, however its decisions can be overturned by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, though that rarely happens. Who can run and vote? Japanese citizens over the age of 30 can run. Upper house elections tend to attract candidates with national fame, such as television personalities and athletes, regardless of their political experience and policy chops. For the first time, anyone over the age of 18 can vote. Previously the voting age was 20. What are the key issues? Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a member of the lower house, is not up for election. But voters will consider his steerage of the economy, which has yet to result in as robust a recovery as promised. His ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and other conservatives are aiming to gain enough seats to control two-thirds of the upper house, part of their controversial goal to amend Japan's war-renouncing constitution. What is the likely result? The jury remains out on the prime minister's unconventional "Abenomics" economic policies in place for over 3 1/2 years, while many voters appear wary of revising the pacifist constitution. But burned by an unpopular 2009-2012 left-leaning government, voters are likely to stick to the status quo, with surveys pointing to Abe and his allies cruising to victory. Voters have in the past, however, used upper house elections to punish the ruling party. In 1998, then prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned when the LDP fared poorly after a consumption tax increase delivered a body blow to the economy. Abe is highly likely to avoid such a fate as he recently announced a delay in a planned tax increase. (AFP)