8:11 p.m. 50 seats have been confirmed as going to the ruling bloc, with 27 for the opposition. 233 are need for a majority.
8 p.m. Voting closes. The ruling bloc is at risk of losing their lower house majority, Nikkei projected immediately after polls closed based on exit surveys of voters and other factors.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) is expected to gain seats in the chamber, as is the Democratic Party for the People, amid public anger at the LDP over a political funds scandal involving dozens of its lawmakers.