Japan's ruling party is projected parliamentary vote winner days after Abe assassination

Japan’s ruling coalition is projected to have won the most votes in an election held just two days after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, national broadcaster NHK says.

The ex-premier’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are expected to claim between 69 and 83 of the 125 upper house seats up for grabs.

Even before Abe’s murder, the LDP and Komeito were expected to cement their majority, though the final number of seats will be scrutinized for signs of whether the attack bolstered support for them.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had insisted the election proceed despite the assassination, saying “we must never allow violence to suppress speech.”