Results of the Japanese House of Representatives Election Announced, Some Happy, Some Sad

The voting and counting for the 51st Japanese House of Representatives Election have concluded. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has secured 316 seats, exceeding two-thirds of the total 465 seats in the House of Representatives, setting a new historical record for the LDP. On the other hand, the largest opposition party, the Center Reform Coalition, saw its seats reduced by nearly 120 from the time of announcement.

LDP President Kishida, the Prime Minister, stated: "Firstly, I hope that the coalition with the Japan Innovation Party can continue firmly in the future, and my intention is very strong. In addition, if any party wishes to propose 'let's work together,' I would also like to co-govern with them."

After including additional approved candidates, the LDP won 316 seats alone, exceeding two-thirds of the total 465 seats in the House of Representatives. This is the first time since World War II that a single party has obtained more than two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives in Japan.

This means that even if a bill is rejected by the House of Councillors after passing the House of Representatives, the LDP can pass it again in the House of Representatives solely based on its own seats. At the same time, the number of seats the LDP has gained this time exceeds the previous record of 300 seats set during the simultaneous election of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors under Prime Minister Nakasone in 1986, setting a new historical record for the party.

The Japan Innovation Party, which formed a coalition government with the LDP, won 36 seats, bringing the total number of seats for the ruling party to 352.

Joint party leader of the Center Reform Coalition, Hashimoto, said: "As a party leader, I believe my responsibility is extremely significant, and this is a major responsibility that I cannot bear the weight of even if I were to die a thousand times."

Joint party leader of the Center Reform Coalition, Takeda, said: "We each left our former parties and gathered under the banner of 'center,' making this major decision, and we must take full responsibility for it, which is how I see it."

Before the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the Center Reform Coalition was formed by the merger of the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Komei Party. Its seats dropped by nearly 120 from the announcement, ending up with only 49 seats.

Core figures within the party, such as Anzai, the joint secretary-general, Hagiuda, the founder of the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Ozawa Ichirō, who had been elected to the House of Representatives 19 times, all lost their seats.

The National Democratic Party won 28 seats, an increase of one seat from before the announcement.

The Party of the People saw a significant increase in seats, winning 15 seats through proportional representation, up from 2 seats before the announcement.

The "Future Team," which participated in the House of Representatives election for the first time, also won 11 seats through proportional representation.

The Communist Party won only 4 seats, a significant decrease from the 8 seats it had before the announcement.

The Reiwa Shinsengumi saw its seats shrink dramatically from 8 seats before the announcement, ending up with only 1 seat through proportional representation.

The Tax Reduction Japan - Concerned Country Alliance won 1 seat in the electoral district elections.

In addition, the Conservative Party and the Social Democratic Party did not win any seats.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856601659585609/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.