CNN —Polls opened Sunday in Japan’s general election, in a test for new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as he seeks voter support for his scandal-hit party just weeks after taking the role. By calling an election, Ishiba, 67, is seeking a public mandate for the ruling LDP amid falling approval ratings and public anger over one of the country’s biggest political scandals in decades. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tried to contain the damage by replacing several cabinet ministers and dissolving LDP factions, essentially coalitions within the party. Ishiba has called for a more balanced relationship, including having greater oversight of US military bases in Japan, Reuters reports. As defense minister, Ishiba was strong on deterrence as a security issue.

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Persons: Shigeru Ishiba, Ishiba, Fumio Kishida, ” Ishiba Organizations: CNN, Liberal Democratic Party, Reuters, Partnership, NATO, Sunday, Representatives, LDP, New Komeito Party Locations: Japan, Ishiba, United States, Asia, China, North Korea, Pacific