00:00Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi,
00:05is poised for a landslide victory in Sunday's lower house election.
00:09A survey by the Asahi newspaper shows a strong showing would solidify Takaichi's grip on the party
00:15and give her a clear mandate to push expansionary fiscal policies.
00:22The LDP is projected to win more than 233 seats, the threshold for a majority,
00:28out of the 465 seats up for grabs in the powerful lower house.
00:33That would mark a sharp increase from the 198 seats the party currently holds.
00:39Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party,
00:43the ruling alliance is expected to secure around 300 seats.
00:47Meanwhile, the largest opposition group, the Centrist Reform Alliance, is struggling
00:51and could lose as many as half of its 167 seats, according to the Asahi.
00:57Takaichi's coalition currently holds a slim majority in the lower house,
01:02but remains in the minority in the upper house.
01:05A landslide victory would strengthen her hand to press ahead
01:08with big spending and tax cuts aimed at reviving the economy.
01:12Markets have already reacted, with Japanese government bond yields rising on Monday
01:17as investors prize in the likelihood of a strong electoral mandate.
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