DHAKA: Millions of Japanese people are voting in a snap election called by prime minister Shinzo Abe to boost support for his economic reforms.

Voters will be choosing who sits in the 475-seat lower house of Japan’s parliament, the Diet.

Recent surveys show Abe’s coalition is likely to win a majority, even though his popularity has dipped.

Abe 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.

Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank, but it has struggled in recent years.

However, Abe has insisted that his policies, known as ‘Abenomics’, can get Japan back on track, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1314 HRS, DEC 14, 2014