A round of parliamentary by-elections set for Oct. 27 is seen widely as a prelude to the next general election. Voters are expected to pass judgment on the job performance of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration for the past 18 months. Campaigning for Upper House elections in Chiba and Tottori prefectures started officially on Thursday; that for Lower House polls in five districts begins this week.

The central concern is the economy, which appears headed for further stagnation amid falling stock prices and growing banking troubles. Structural reforms initiated by the Koizumi administration have so far produced few tangible results. Political corruption -- which forced four legislators to resign during the last regular Diet session -- is also a major issue. There is also a hot diplomatic issue: dealing with North Korea's admission that its agents abducted Japanese citizens.

Given the relatively small number of seats at stake, however, election results will have no direct impact on the power balance in the Diet or the immediate future of the Koizumi administration. That may be part of the reason why there is no groundswell of voter sentiment. Political parties do not appear to be very enthusiastic, either. But this does not reduce the significance of the coming elections.