Japan: Ruling Party Loses Majority After Snap Election

Japan: Ruling LDPParty Loses Majority After Snap Election

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OCT 28 2024

Above: Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's prime minister and president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), during a news conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Imagesstory last updated OCT 28 2024

The Facts

Japan's snap election has seen the ruling Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito lose their majority in the country's lower house of parliament, with no party reaching the required 233 seats. A vote on a new premiership will take place on Nov. 11.In a weekend snap election, Japan's ruling Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the country's lower house of parliament, with no party reaching the required 233 seats. A vote on a new premiership will take place on Nov. 11.
According to state broadcaster NHK, LDP finished with 191 seats, followed by 148 seats for the Constitutional Democratic Party, 38 seats for the Japan Restoration Council, 28 seats for the National Democratic Party, and 24 seats for Komeito within the 465-seat chamber.According to state broadcaster NHK, LDP finished with 191 seats in the 465-seat chamber, followed by 148 seats for the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), 38 for the Japan Restoration Council, 28 for the National Democratic Party, and 24 for Komeito.
The result sees the LDP lose 65 seats and Komeito lose eight seats, with the Constitutional Democratic Party gaining 50 seats. This is the first time that that the LDP has lost its majority in the lower chamber for 15 years.While the LDP and Komeito lost 65 and 8 seats, the Constitutional Democratic Party gained 50 seats. This is the first time the LDP lost its majority in the lower chamber in 15 years.

The Spin

WhilstThough Japan's opposition parties were unable to come to an official agreement prior to the election in order to finally remove a weakened and scandal-riddled LDP from power, momentum remains with the country's advocates for change following a hugely successful night for the CDP. Now, the real discussions must begin, as rival interests and ideologies must be placed to one side in order to ensure a new era for Japanese politics.

The Asahi Shimbun Kyodo News+

WhilstDespite a monumental blow to Ishiba and his coalition, the LDP remainremains theJapan's largest party, in Japan and theirits continued governance of the country remains a plausible outcome of this election. Ishiba's ascension as LDP leader was intended as a break from the status quo political corruption that had marred Japan for so long –— divided opposition may buy the Primeprime Ministerminister time to sure up his position and turn the corner that the country so clearly desires.