In Japan, campaigning for seats in the House of Representatives election has begun, with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and opposition leader Shinzo Abe starting their campaign in Fukushima.
Voters at home and abroad, however, have been able to begin casting their votes ahead of the actual polling day on December 16. About 106,000 registered voters worldwide are expected to cast their votes cross over 213 Japanese embassies and consulates.
Despite the sudden dissolution and a snap election, the number of candidates in the lower house election exceeds that of 2009, when the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) ousted Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from power. According to the latest poll, the LDP are seeking to return to power. Some 1,500 candidates from 12 parties are expected to run for the 480-seats.