Tokyo, Feb. 8 -- Voting began across Japan on Sunday in the snap general election called by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is seeking a public mandate to push ahead with her economic and security agenda alongside her new coalition partner, according to Kyodo News.

Takaichi is aiming to secure a majority in the 465-member House of Representatives for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-led bloc with the Japan Innovation Party, while heavy snowfall across wide parts of the country threatens to dampen voter turnout.

Japan's first female prime minister, who took office last October, has said she would "immediately resign" if the coalition fails to secure control of the powerful lower chamber.

Nearly 1,300 candidates are contesting the ...