Candidates for parliamentary election in Japan rushed from rally to rally hoping to appeal to voters during the final hours of the campaign period, just a day after the assassination of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Mr. Abe was campaigning for a candidate for the upper house of parliament when he was shot.
It appeared to be political on Saturday. The white vans were carrying large photos of politicians and blared their names from the loudspeaker. The candidates posed for selfies.
Candidates from the country's many political parties tried to sell voters on their different visions for Japan's future. The violence a day earlier should not be allowed to undermine the country's elections, as they campaign as if they agree.
After Mr. Abe was shot in the city of Nara, it appeared that the campaign period would end early as the country mourned his death.
On Friday evening, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he intended to continue campaigning for the Liberal Democratic Party.
He traveled to support candidates for the party. He focused on election issues, like how to revive Japan's economy, while addressing Mr. Abe's death in remarks to voters.
The political campaign after the assassination was more complicated for opposition parties. Mr. Abe was a foil for liberal politicians.
Takuzo Yamae, a member of Japan's Communist Party who is running for a second term, denounced the murder of Mr. Abe.
He said that they would not tolerate the suppression of free speech. It's not democracy if violence is involved.
The supporters of opposition candidates worry that the shooting will lead to a wave of sympathy votes for the ruling party, which will make their election odds worse.
Hundreds of people gathered to cheer on Akiko Ikuina, a former pop star who is running for the Liberal Democratic Party.
Mr. Abe was supposed to attend, but he didn't.
Ms. Ikuina cried as she urged her supporters to vote on Sunday to honor the former prime minister.
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