TOKYO: A heated election campaign is underway all over Japan as more than 1,500 candidates vie for 480 seats in the lower house of parliament.
This election will also see an unprecedented 12 political parties taking part.
Hundreds of people, sometimes even thousands, gather to listen to election speeches -- especially if they are by prominent lawmakers like Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
The 'celebrity' status of a politician can also help newcomers in their party.
"Today I want our party's new face Miki Yamada, Miki Yamada to win. With that hope I have come to greet you all in Shinjuku ward," said Nobuteru Ishihara, the former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party to a crowd.
"I'm hearing from many wishing the Liberal Democratic Party to do well. I'm receiving calls of 'debutant do well'," said Miki Yamada, the Liberal Democratic Party's candidate for Tokyo's 1st district.
For others with a lower profile, the campaign trail can be a lonely one.
Taro Kosai is running for a lower house seat for the first time.
He is a former assembly member of Minato ward in Tokyo who hopes to reform the fundamentals of the country.
"We have to set a new goal that will replace the typical economic growth target to catch up and surpass US and Europe. That has not been done," he said.
According to public opinion polls, what the public wants to hear the most is how each candidate will handle the Japanese economy.
Japan's economy has been facing a slowdown with its GDP in the July-September quarter showing a contraction. A contraction is expected this quarter as well.
It is a tough task that has not stopped the 1,500 candidates from battling for votes.
In Tokyo's 1st district alone, there are nine candidates running for a seat.
Japan will go the polls on 16 December.
- CNA/jc
Heated election campaigns underway all over Japan
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Heated election campaigns underway all over Japan
