Anthony Kuhn

The results represent a comeback for the LDP, which has suffered two electoral defeats in a row.

Takeuchi could take the results as a mandate to pursue her conservative agenda, including boosting defense spending.

Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

Opinion polls show Prime Minister Sanae Takeuchi and her coalition turning their slim majority in the lower house of parliament into a more commanding one.

But it's a gamble, and Takeuchi says that if she fails to win a majority, she'll step down.

A big win could be seen as a mandate to press ahead with Takeuchi's conservative agenda—

including increased defense spending and possibly even revising constitutional restrictions on the nation's military.

Japan's political landscape is shifting to the right, with the formation of a new ruling coalition between the ruling party and a smaller right-wing party that favors more defense spending and less immigration.

Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Hongchon, South Korea.

Prime Minister Sanae Takeuchi says she wants to ask the public directly whether they will entrust the nation's governance to her.

Specifically, she seeks voters' approval of a new coalition with the right-wing Populist Japan Innovation Party and for her policies, including a consumption tax cut and increased defense spending.

Takeichi is the first woman to serve as Japan's prime minister.

Her approval ratings are high, but her party has taken a beating in two elections in a row, leaving it with a minority in both upper and lower houses of parliament.

Securing a majority in the lower house will make it easier for her to get legislation passed.

Takeichi is also embroiled in a bitter dispute with China over her comments about Taiwan.

Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

The charges against Yoon included obstruction of justice.

Yoon barricaded himself in his residence last year and deployed bodyguards to prevent police and investigators from arresting him.

He was also accused of excluding cabinet ministers from a meeting about his martial law decree and falsifying and destroying documents to cover up his actions.

The judge said that although Yoon's offenses were serious, he showed no remorse.