The Sunday election is set to be a test for the LDP, whose image was bruised by its perceived mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, with opinion polls published on Friday showing that hanging on to its single-party majority in the more powerful lower house could be difficult.
Kishida became prime minister earlier this month and governed for a bit over a week before dissolving the chamber, hoping to catch the opposition on the back foot with an earlier-than-expected poll and take advantage of the "honeymoon" period usually granted to new governments.
But some analysts believe the move may backfire for Kishida, whose bland image has failed to inspire voters, and say he risks being replaced https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/why-japans-election-is-bigger-deal-than-it-looks-2021-10-28 if there a substantial loss of seats for the LDP with an upper house election looming next year.
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