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Japan exit polls suggest boost for PM Abe in senate election Japan exit polls suggest boost for PM Abe in senate election
(35 minutes later)
Voting has closed in Japan's parliamentary election, with exit polls suggesting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will increase his majority. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to increase his majority in the upper house of parliament after elections, exit polls suggest.
Half of the 242 seats of the upper house of parliament were up for grabs. His coalition is expected to win most of the 121 seats in dispute.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hoping for backing for his economic policies. Mr Abe is hoping for backing for his economic policies, known as Abenomics.
If he can achieve a two-thirds majority in the upper house to match that in the lower house, he could also hold a referendum on constitutional change, easing constraints on military action.If he can achieve a two-thirds majority in the upper house to match that in the lower house, he could also hold a referendum on constitutional change, easing constraints on military action.
Polling stations closed at 20:00 local time (11:00 GMT).Polling stations closed at 20:00 local time (11:00 GMT).
Mr Abe's governing Liberal Democratic Party currently has 116 seats in the upper house and can also count on 20 seats for its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party. Half of the 242 seats of the upper house were up for grabs.
Public broadcaster NHK said the two parties together would take between 67 to 76 of the 121 seats in dispute. Public broadcaster NHK said Mr Abe's governing Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, would between them take 67 to 76 of the seats available.
What is Abenomics? If confirmed, this would increase their majority, as the coalition already controls 77 seats of the other half of the upper house.
Constitutional changes?
The BBC's Stephen Evans, in Tokyo, says Mr Abe has fought his campaign on his economic record, but the sub-text of the election has been the power to amend the constitution.The BBC's Stephen Evans, in Tokyo, says Mr Abe has fought his campaign on his economic record, but the sub-text of the election has been the power to amend the constitution.
Mr Abe is thought to want to change Article 9, the so-called pacifism clause which forbids Japan from fighting wars abroad. It was imposed by the US after Japan was on the losing side in World War Two, 70 years ago.Mr Abe is thought to want to change Article 9, the so-called pacifism clause which forbids Japan from fighting wars abroad. It was imposed by the US after Japan was on the losing side in World War Two, 70 years ago.
Some in Japan view the constraint as unfair, our correspondent says, and the rise of China has reinforced the view on the right that the clause should go.Some in Japan view the constraint as unfair, our correspondent says, and the rise of China has reinforced the view on the right that the clause should go.
The opposition has asked voters to reject any adoption of a more assertive military role.The opposition has asked voters to reject any adoption of a more assertive military role.
Mr Abe has based his election campaign on his economic policies, although he admits himself that his Abenomics, aimed at ending debilitating deflation, are only "half done".Mr Abe has based his election campaign on his economic policies, although he admits himself that his Abenomics, aimed at ending debilitating deflation, are only "half done".
This is the first nationwide election since the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18.This is the first nationwide election since the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18.