LOC10:58
07:58 GMT
TOKYO, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- The 12-day campaign for Japan's October 31 Lower House election officially kicked off Tuesday, with asking voters to pass judgment on new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's anti-coronavirus measures and economic policies.
As of 4:00 pm (0700 GMT), a total of 1,050 persons filed their candidacy for the 465 seats at stake -- 289 from single-seat constituencies and 176 through proportional representation. Election administration committees nationwide will accept registrations until 5:00 p.m.
The 64-year-old Kishida, who took office on October fourth, dissolved the Lower House last Thursday.
Kishida, who is also ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, has said he will claim a victory if the LDP and its smaller coalition partner Komeito win an overall majority with a combined 233 seats.
The premier kicked off his campaign in Fukushima, north of Tokyo, putting importance on the economic growth after COVID-19 crisis.
"We will implement economic policy packages to distribute the fruits of growth and to increase income and wages," Kishida told a crowd.
It is the first parliamentary election for the Lower House since October 2017, when the LDP-led coalition won comfortable victory in the chamber. (end)
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