Voting underway in Japan's upper house election

Voting is underway for the Japanese House of Councillors election Sunday, with rising prices and security threats seen as being at the forefront of the people's minds as Japan also reels from the death of Shinzo Abe, a former prime minister who was gunned down on the campaign trail, Report informs via Kyodo News.

The Government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set a goal for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito to retain a majority in the upper house.

A decisive win would strengthen Kishida's grip on power at a time when the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is being threatened by surging energy and food prices, and heightened security concerns amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Abe, who was an LDP member of the House of Representatives, was fatally shot Friday while delivering a speech to rally support for the ruling coalition in Nara, western Japan.

Elections are held for half of the upper house every three years. This time, a total of 125 seats are up for grabs -- 124 for half of the 248-member chamber and one to fill a vacancy in the other.

A total of 545 candidates are vying for the 125 seats -- 74 in electoral districts and 50 by proportional representation, plus one vacant seat to fill. The total includes a record 181 female candidates.