Voting began Sunday in Japan's House of Representatives election, in which the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to achieve a solid victory in the face of a divided opposition.

Recent opinion polls have suggested the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito will maintain a comfortable majority in the Lower House. The ruling bloc is likely to capitalize on the win by pressing ahead with debate on the Constitution's first amendment ever.

A robust performance could also reinforce Abe's chances of success in an LDP leadership contest next September.