An electorate dismayed by a seemingly endless series of scandals involving the ruling bloc went to the polls Sunday to decide the fate of the current leadership in the House of Councilors.
The dominant Liberal Democratic Party has been beset by scandals of late over pension payment records gone missing, repeated gaffes by high-ranking officials and the loss of three scandal-hit Cabinet ministers — two to resignation and one to suicide.
Although Tokyo voters interviewed by The Japan Times were divided over whether the LDP-New Komeito ruling bloc or the Democratic Party of Japan was better suited to control the Upper House, the mood appeared to favor the DPJ.