Pacifist constitution reform at stake as Japan goes to polls

Voters started to cast their ballots for Japan's Upper House election on Sunday, where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc was forecast to win a solid majority. Media surveys show Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner on track to win more than half the 124 seats up for grabs in the election, possibly strengthening their majority in the chamber.

Voter interest in the poll has been tepid and turnout could fall below the 54.7 percent in the last Upper House poll in 2016. Polling stations will be open until at 8 pm with media likely to call the outcome later in the evening. Official results are not expected until Monday.