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World

News Guide: What to watch for in Japan's parliamentary elections

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    A man casts his vote for parliament's lower house election at a polling station in Tokyo, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. Japanese voters headed to the polls Sunday in a parliamentary election that is expected to reaffirm the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's majority, though many analysts were predicting a record low turnout. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) (The Associated Press)

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    Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a TV interview on ballot counting for the lower house elections at his Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. Japan’s ruling coalition was headed for a landslide victory in lower house elections Sunday, firming up Abe’s hold on power as he prepares to push forward on several politically difficult fronts. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

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    Election staff members count votes in lower house elections at a ballot counting center in Tokyo, Sunday, Dec, 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

TOKYO – A national election in Japan on Sunday is expected to return the ruling party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power in a possible landslide. At stake is the 475-seat lower house, which is the more powerful of Japan's two houses, and has the final say in picking a prime minister and approving most legislation.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The margin of victory. Pre-election polls pointed to a solid win for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan for most of the post-World War II period. The LDP held 295 seats in the lower house when Abe dissolved it last month, forcing Sunday's snap election. Projections based on polls by Japan's major media say the LDP could win more than 300 out of the 475 seats. Tthe number of seats was cut from 480 earlier.

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WHY IT MATTERS

Abe could use a large majority to push through politically difficult initiatives such as opening Japan's agricultural markets and expanding the role of Japan's military. Economic reforms are vital to a sustained recovery from two decades of stagnation, but face stiff opposition from vested interests — so even a landslide won't guarantee change.

A big win would help Abe fend off leadership challenges from within his party. If his popularity ratings remain relatively high, he could remain prime minister for up to four more years, when he would be legally required to call another election.

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WHAT ABE WANTS

Abe hopes to stem a slide in his support while his government remains relatively popular and the opposition is in disarray. Consolidating power now may aid in his longer-term, more controversial goals of amending the constitution and restarting nuclear power plants.

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IMPLICATIONS OUTSIDE JAPAN

Japan's relations with its huge neighbor and trading partner China have soured since Abe took office in late 2012, as the two countries sparred over conflicting claims to islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Tokyo. Sunday's vote could further roil ties with China if Abe interprets a strong showing for the Liberal Democrats as a mandate for a tough stance toward Beijing.