Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition ally, Komeito, are on track to secure another solid victory in the July 21 Upper House poll, with a Kyodo News survey showing they will secure half of the 124 seats up for grabs.
The election may provide a fresh impetus for Abe's drive to amend the postwar Constitution. The ruling parties and like-minded opposition forces are seen to be within reach of a two-thirds majority, which is needed to begin amendment proceedings, in the 245-member upper chamber.
The looming consumption tax hike in October and the sustainability of the pension system are among the key issues expected to be debated by the candidates as voters get set to deliver a verdict on more than six years of the Abe administration.