At least 199 people are preparing to run in the House of Councilors election slated for July, around 40 fewer than at the corresponding stage ahead of the 2001 Upper House poll, according to a Kyodo News survey.

The key focus of the election is likely to be whether the Liberal Democratic Party can secure an Upper House majority for the first time in 15 years.

The house currently has 247 seats, though this total will be reduced to 242 after the 2004 election.