english news 英语新闻-Japan's lower house election begins

A woman casts ballot at a polling station in Osaka, Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

A woman casts ballot at a polling station in Osaka, Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012. Japan on Sunday held the election of the 46th House of Representatives, with a total of 1,504 candidates running for the 480 seats in the lower house. (Xinhua/Ma Xinghua)

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Japan's lower house election begins

TOKYO, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 46th Japan's House of Representatives election began at 7:00 a.m. local time Sunday. A total of 1,504 candidates will run for the 480 seats in lower house election.

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) registered 267 candidates while the main opposition party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) registered 338 runners. The Japan Restoration Party and the Tomorrow Party of Japan, known as the third forces, registered 172 and 121 respectively. Full story

Voters register at a polling station in Osaka, Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

Voters register at a polling station in Osaka, Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012. Japan on Sunday held the election of the 46th House of Representatives, with a total of 1,504 candidates running for the 480 seats in the lower house. (Xinhua/Ma Xinghua)

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012. Japan on Sunday held the election of the 46th House of Representatives, with a total of 1,504 candidates running for the 480 seats in the lower house. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

A child looks at a ballot box at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

A child looks at a ballot box at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012. Japan on Sunday held the election of the 46th House of Representatives, with a total of 1,504 candidates running for the 480 seats in the lower house. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Japanese attend voting at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012.

Japanese attend voting at a polling station in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 16, 2012. Japan on Sunday held the election of the 46th House of Representatives, with a total of 1,504 candidates running for the 480 seats in the lower house. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)