Japan election: Shinzo Abe set for big win
Exit polls suggest that the party of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has secured a large majority in the country's parliamentary elections.
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Mr Abe had called a snap poll to boost support for his economic reforms.
He was elected in 2012 and has tried to revive the economy by raising public spending and printing money.
After an initial burst of growth, Japan slipped back into recession in the second half of this year.
"I believe the public approved of two years of our 'Abenomics' policies," Mr Abe said in an interview.
"But that doesn't mean we can be complacent."
He added: "My 'Abenomics' policies are still only half-way done.
"I am aware that there are still a lot of people who are still not feeling the benefits. But it's my duty to bring [benefits] to those very people, and I believe this election made that clear."
Among his pledges, Mr Abe vowed to help more Japanese women enter and remain in employment by tightening anti-discrimination laws and setting employment targets.
Despite exit polls showing Mr Abe's conservative Liberal Democratic Party ahead, analysts said it would probably fall short of a two-thirds majority - meaning it was likely to remain in coalition with junior partner Komeito.
Reports said turnout at polling stations was low due to voter apathy and heavy snowfall. The government said turnout was at just 35 per cent two hours before polls closed
Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank, but it has struggled in recent years.
Shinzo Abe's economic policy, launched in 2013, was so wide-ranging that it was named after him. It was designed to help pull Japan out of two decades of deflation and kick-start its stagnant economy.
Economic growth briefly returned, helped by a weaker yen that boosted exporters, but 18 months on, Japan's economy is back in recession, and support for Mr Abe has been dwindling.
He has also promised to amend the law to allow the Japanese military to engage in collective self-defence alongside allies who are threatened.
Economists say an increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent in April knocked consumer spending and helped to halt growth.
The tax increase was legislated by the previous government in 2012 to curb Japan's huge public debt, which is the highest among developed nations.
Mr Abe called the election to seek a mandate to delay a second increase in the tax to 10 per cent, scheduled for 2015.
Voters were choosing who sits in the 475-seat lower house of Japan's parliament, the Diet.
Several surveys in recent weeks had pointed to a win for Mr Abe's party.
Observers said this was partly due to the lack of a real political alternative, with the opposition in disarray.
The Banri Kaieda-led opposition Democratic Party is expected to pick up a handful of seats, but not enough to affect the parliamentary balance.
A total of 1,191 candidates are competed for 475 seats.