TOKYO, Oct. 31 (NHK) - People across Japan are now casting ballots to choose representatives in the Diet's powerful Lower House. The poll will gauge the public's satisfaction with the ruling coalition's response to the pandemic and other pressing issues.

465 seats are up for grabs. Voters will choose a candidate in one of 289 single-seat districts. The other 176 representatives will be chosen through proportional representation.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has been in power for mere weeks. He says if his Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito keep their majority he will consider it a victory.

That benchmark is 233 seats --- well below the 305 the coalition held before the election.

On the other side of the chamber, their opponents are trying out a strategy to consolidate power.

Opposition parties are fielding a unified candidate in many single-seat districts to avoid splitting the vote.

All polling stations will close by 8 PM. At that point, vote counting will begin.