Polls have opened in Japan in national elections for the country's upper house of parliament that could see Prime Minister Shinzo Abe forced from office.
Japanese voters have been taking part in elections for the upper house of parliament that could see Prime Minister Shinzo Abe forced from office.
This is the first electoral test for Mr Abe since he took office in September.
As voting ending, TV exit polls suggested a heavy loss for Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Although the election will not directly affect Mr Abe, correspondents say a heavy defeat for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) could force him to resign.
The party has been hit by a series of ministerial gaffes and scandals since Mr Abe took office in September.
His popularity has been hit by a series of ministerial gaffes and scandals, and opinion polls suggest a poor result.
Although the election will not directly affect Mr Abe, correspondents say a bad result could force him to resign.
If the citizens let Abe continue his governance, this country will never see democracy again Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa Q&A: Upper house poll
I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all Nobuyuki Ietaka, voter Q&A: Upper house poll
The most significant factor has been a nationwide pensions debacle, with a government agency admitting it has lost records relating to millions of payments.
Half of the 242 seats in the House of Councillors were being contested. Polls closed at 2000 (1100 GMT) and the results were expected within hours.
Pensions are a key issue in Japan's greying society and, although the mistake was not made under his leadership, many voters have started to question his skills in the job.
The LDP-led ruling coalition currently controls 132 seats. It needs to win 64 of the 121 seats that are up for grabs in order to retain its majority.
The most significant factor in Mr Abe's falling popularity has been a nationwide pensions debacle, with a government agency admitting it has lost records relating to millions of payments.
Pensions are a key issue in Japan's greying society and, although the mistake was not made under Mr Abe's leadership, many voters have started to question his skills in the job.
Tomohiro Nakamura, a 53-year-old bank employee in Tokyo, said he had voted for the opposition "because I have no other choice when LDP politics is in bad shape".
Tomohiro Nakamura, a 53-year-old bank employee in Tokyo, said he had voted for the opposition "because I have no other choice when LDP politics is in bad shape".
However, Nobuyuki Ietaka, a 48-year-old computer company salesman, said he planned to vote for the ruling party. "I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all," he told the Associated Press.
'Not a referendum'
Mr Abe became prime minister following popular leader Junichiro Koizumi's decision to step down last year.
However, Nobuyuki Ietaka, a 48-year-old computer company salesman, said he was voting for the ruling party. "I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all," he told the Associated Press.
Half of the 242 seats in Japan's House of Councillors, or upper house, are being contested, with polls due to close at 2000 (1100 GMT).
His ruling coalition has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house - which chooses the prime minister. But some analysts say the prime minister may feel he has to take responsibility for a poor result in the upper house election and step down.
The first results are expected shortly after that.
However, several top LDP lawmakers backed Mr Abe in his final campaign days, emphasising that this election was not a referendum on his leadership.
After a cool start to the day, hot weather is forecast which could reduce turnout as voters escape the heat and head for coastal or mountain resorts.
It is high time that Japan abandons its self-absorbed politics and finds its global place in the world stage as a stabilizing force Dean Plasaras, United States Have Your Say Mr Abe's LDP-led ruling coalition currently controls 132 seats. It needs to win 64 of the 121 seats that are up for election in order to retain its majority.
The 52-year-old Mr Abe's ruling coalition already has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house - which chooses the prime minister.
Several top LDP lawmakers backed Mr Abe in his final campaign days, emphasising that this election was not a referendum on his leadership.
But some analysts say the prime minister may feel he has to take responsibility for a poor result and step down.
Reform plea
On his final day of campaigning on Saturday, the prime minister asked voters to allow him to press on with his reform programme.
Mr Ozawa has seen his Democratic Party of Japan gain ground
Addressing a crowd in Tokyo he said: "We are a responsible party. Please give the LDP power. Do we move ahead with reform or do we go backward? We will surely push ahead."
The leader of the opposition Democratic Party (DPJ), Ichiro Ozawa, told his supporters that a win for Mr Abe's party would mean the end of democracy in Japan.
"The upper house election is a big opportunity, and we cannot let this last chance go to waste.
"In this upper house election, if we do not get the majority of seats and the citizens let Abe continue his governance, this country will never see democracy again," he said.
Mr Ozawa has said that if the DPJ, together with other minor opposition parties, fails to secure an upper house majority, he will resign.
