Japan's LDP on course to keep majority in lower house: poll

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is on course to retain its majority in the House of Representatives in the Oct. 31 general election, according to a Kyodo News survey conducted through Wednesday.Such an outcome would likely see new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida claim a mandate to pursue his COVID-19 and economic policy, under which he has pledged to realize growth and redistribute wealth to the middle class.The LDP is set to win at least 233 of the 465 seats in the powerful lower chamber of parliament, while it remains uncertain whether it can hold onto the 276 it had before the elect…READ FULL ARTICLE