High Turnout Expected in Parliamentary Vote

Voters cast ballots in a parliamentary election that is likely to strengthen Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's grip on power and hand him a mandate to push through long-promised reforms.

Turnout was expected to be high after a campaign that provided voters with a sharper focus on policy.

Koizumi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has campaigned on plans to break apart and sell Japan Post's sprawling savings and insurance businesses. The main opposition Democratic Party appealed to voters with a blueprint to reform the pension system.