Campaigning kicks off for Japan's parliamentary election on October 27

Official campaigning for Japan's October 27 parliamentary election began on Tuesday with new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba seeking a mandate for his policies and for reforms after the governing party's political funds scandal.More than 1,300 candidates were expected to enter the races for the 465-seat Lower House before registration closes later Tuesday.Ishiba called the snap election after he took office as prime minister on October 1. As customary for Liberal Democratic Party leaders over the past decade, he was to start his campaign in Fukushima to renew his pledge to support the area's recovery from the 2011 nuclear disaster.With the early election, Ishiba is seeking to secure a majority in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan's two parliamentary chambers, before the congratulatory mood fades.The move has been criticized as prioritizing an election rather than policies and for allowing little debate.A majority for the ruling coalition would be 233 seats between his