Japan's upper house election campaign kicks off: 5 things to know

Kishida's economic, defense plans in focus as Ukraine war fuels inflation

From left, Komeito's Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party's Kenta Izumi, and Nippon Ishin's Ichiro Matsui speak to the public during rallies on June 22. (Photos by Nikkei)

KENTARO IWAMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

June 22, 2022 12:00 JST

Updated on June 22, 2022 18:06 JST

TOKYO -- Japan's upper house election race officially began on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's economic and defense policies in focus as global inflation surges and the Ukraine war casts a long shadow.

Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party leads the opposition, according to the latest polls, backed by the cabinet's relatively high approval rating of about 60%.