American voters living in Japan are counting down the days as one of the most-watched presidential elections in U.S. history hurtles toward a potentially nail-biting conclusion — one that could have profound effects for Washington's ties with Tokyo.

With the Nov. 8 election just weeks away, and as deadlines for requesting absentee ballots fast approach, outreach groups are frantically hustling to get voters here to register for the election.

Most polls show Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton maintaining a thin lead over Republican candidate Donald Trump. But, with at least 2.6 million eligible U.S. voters living abroad according to one estimate, the group is large enough to tip elections in close presidential and state contests.