As the nation went to the polls on Sunday, reminders of the need to still heed the ongoing pandemic were all around.
At a Fukuoka elementary school serving as a polling station for the House of Representatives election, various coronavirus countermeasures could be seen as about 30 people lined up in the late morning at the entrance to the auditorium.
To help maintain social distancing, the number of people allowed inside at one time was limited. A plastic sheet was installed at the reception desk, and the middle of every three cubbies for filling in ballots was taped off.
Voters were instructed to pick up a pencil from a basket and use the same one until finishing filling out all their ballot. Every pencil was disinfected after use.
"Because of such thorough infection measures, I was able to vote with ease of mind," a 42-year-old office worker said after voting.
"Given what has happened during the pandemic, I paid attention to the policies of each party more this time than in previous lower house elections, in terms of economic measures and health care."
At a polling station in Miyakojima Ward, Osaka, an election staff member was seen disinfecting each and every pencil in an area behind the polling cubbies.
"We want voters to be able to cast their ballot without worry even during a pandemic," an election official said.
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