Polling begins for Japan's lower house in crucial test for new PM's leadership

Voting for Japan's House of Representatives commenced on Sunday (local time) in an election deemed crucial for the political stability of the country at a time of economic uncertainty, challenging foreign relations environment and public discontent.

The election is a battle for a stable majority in Japan's lower house with all the focus on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito bloc -- which has ruled Japan for most of the post-war period -- which is in the contest under new leadership following the resignation of Fumio Kishida.

According to a recent poll analysis, the ruling coalition is expected to lose its majority in the lower chamber for the first time in 15 years, and such a situation could lead to a level of political instability reminiscent of the 1990s Japan Times reported.