Approaching Typhoon Could Weigh on Japan Poll Turnout

(Bloomberg) -- A strong typhoon is expected to bring yet more rain to an already sodden Japan at the weekend, potentially affecting the turnout in Sunday’s election.

Typhoon Lan was east of the Philippines as of 9 a.m. Tokyo time on Friday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, and forecast to weaken before reaching Japan, probably on Monday. A mixture of cloudy and rainy weather is forecast for Sunday, with torrential rain predicted only on the subtropical island of Okinawa.

A study of the last 15 elections by weather forecasting service Weathernews Inc., showed the highest turnouts have occurred in cloudy weather. Cold or rainy weather is associated with lower voting rates, but so is sunny weather, which may encourage voters to find other ways to spend their leisure time.

Opinion polls show the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner are on track to take about 300 of the 465 seats up for grabs.