参院さんいん選せん 投票とうひょう始はじまる 与野党よやとうどちらが過か半数はんすう制せいするか最大さいだいの焦点しょうてんに

The 27th House of Councillors election reached its voting day on the 20th, and voting began at approximately 44,700 polling stations nationwide.

In the House of Representatives, where the ruling party is in the minority, the main focus will be on whether the ruling or opposition parties can secure an overall majority.

This election was contested for 125 seats—124 regular seats up for re-election and one to fill a vacancy in the Tokyo electoral district—out of a total of 248 seats, with 522 candidates running in both the electoral districts and the proportional representation system.

Voting began at around 44,700 polling stations nationwide at 7 a.m., except for some areas such as remote islands where early voting was held by the 19th.

On the other hand, as of the 18th, about 21.45 million people, or just over 20% of all eligible voters, had already cast their ballots in advance voting. This is an increase of more than 5.32 million compared to the same point three years ago.

In the election campaign, measures to address the urgent issue of rising prices became one of the main points of contention, with each party advocating for things such as providing benefits, reducing or abolishing the consumption tax rate, and measures against the soaring price of rice.

In addition, there was intense debate over issues such as social security, measures to address the declining birthrate, foreign and security policies including responses to U.S. tariff measures, and policies concerning foreigners.

This election’s main focus is whether the ruling or opposition parties will secure a majority in the House of Representatives, where the ruling party currently holds a minority. The ruling party needs to win 50 seats to maintain its majority.

Voting will close at 8:00 p.m. except at some polling stations, and the ballots will be counted on the same day.

Minister of Internal Affairs Murakami Issues Statement On the day of voting for the House of Councillors election, Minister of Internal Affairs Murakami issued a statement, saying, I sincerely hope that all eligible voters fully understand the significance of this House of Councillors election, actively participate in voting, and make sure to cast their valuable ballot.