Japan’s ruling party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is set to seal a decisive win in Sunday’s snap election, exit polls suggest.
The country’s first female prime minister is seeking a clear public mandate just four months after becoming Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) leader.
Her predicted success is in marked contrast to her two predecessors, under whom the party lost its parliamentary majority because of corruption scandals and rising costs.
An LDP-led coalition has governed Japan for much of its post-war history due to the lack of a strong opposition.
Some called the snap election a big gamble after the LDP lost its majority in both houses of parliament, and its decades-old coalition with the Komeito party had collapsed.
But Takaichi’s personal popularity appears to have helped the party, with approval ratings for her government mostly hovering above 70%.
The LDP is projected to win 274 of 465 seats in the House of Representatives, according to a poll by broadcaster NHK.
The party has formed a coalition with the right-wing populist Japan Innovation Party.
People across Japan braved snow to vote in the country’s first mid-winter poll in 36 years.
Japan’s transport ministry said 37 train lines and 58 ferry routes were closed and 54 flights cancelled as of Sunday morning. There was rare snowfall in Tokyo as people headed out to vote.
Takaichi’s enthusiasm, populist spending promises and nationalist rhetoric appear to have energised voters.
Critics, including businesses, are sceptical that her pledge to spend more and cut taxes can revive the sluggish Japanese economy. The country’s government debt is already one of the highest among developed nations.
Credit: bbc.com
