Japanese vote in snap general election

A Japanese voter casts a ballot in a snap general election. (Photo/CGTN)

Japanese voters are casting their ballots, in a snap general election called by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month in a move analysts said was motivated by rebounding approval ratings against a weak opposition.

Voters will be choosing their representatives in the Lower House of the Diet, a year ahead of schedule.

Polls opened at 07:00 a.m. local time on Sunday (22:00 GMT Saturday) and will close at 08:00 p.m. local time (11:00 GMT on Sunday).

Vote counting will start immediately after.

A total of 1,180 candidates are vying for 465 seats in the lower house. 289 lawmakers will be elected directly and the remaining 176 through a system of proportional representation.

According to a Kyodo poll, conducted by telephone between October 15 and 17, Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is poised to win about 280 seats.