Japan
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
22.10.2017
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
28.09.2017
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Early election
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
465
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
1,180
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
971
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
209
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
17.71%
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
11
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
106,091,229
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
56,947,831
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
53.68%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition - comprising his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito - retained its two-thirds majority in the early elections, taking a total of 335 seats in the 465-member House of Representatives (see note 1). The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, led by former Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Yukio Edano; and Kibo no To (Party of Hope), led by the Governor of Tokyo, Ms. Yuriko Koike, took 54 and 50 seats respectively (see note 2). The percentage of women in the House of Representatives surpassed 10% for the first time since 2009. On 1 November, Mr. Abe was re-elected as Prime Minister.
The 2017 elections were held amid security threats caused by missile launches and nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Prime Minister called snap elections in late September, stating that he needed a fresh mandate for his administration's handling of the tensions with the DPRK as well as for its decision to spend more revenue from the planned rise in consumption tax (from 8 to 10% in 2019) on social welfare and less on paying off government debt. Most opposition parties opposed the consumption tax increase. The major electoral issues included the Prime Ministers plan to amend the Constitution, while the evaluation of the second Abe administration (since 2012) also dominated the election campaign. Among the major parties, the ruling coalition and Kibo no To advocated for constitutional amendments while the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan opposed them.
Note 1:
In accordance with amendments to the Electoral law promulgated on 27 May 2016, the number of single-member constituencies decreased from 295 to 289, and the number of members elected under the proportional system fell from 180 to 176. Accordingly, the number of members of the House of Representatives has been reduced from 475 to 465.
Note 2:
Prior to the 2017 elections, the main opposition Democratic Party (which itself had been formed in March 2016 by the Democratic Party of Japan and two other parties) split into several parties. Most members joined Kibo no To, formed by Governor Koike, who herself did not stand for the 2017 elections. Fifteen other members joined the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, while Democratic Party leader Seiji Maehara and other senior members ran as independents.
The 2017 elections were held amid security threats caused by missile launches and nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Prime Minister called snap elections in late September, stating that he needed a fresh mandate for his administration's handling of the tensions with the DPRK as well as for its decision to spend more revenue from the planned rise in consumption tax (from 8 to 10% in 2019) on social welfare and less on paying off government debt. Most opposition parties opposed the consumption tax increase. The major electoral issues included the Prime Ministers plan to amend the Constitution, while the evaluation of the second Abe administration (since 2012) also dominated the election campaign. Among the major parties, the ruling coalition and Kibo no To advocated for constitutional amendments while the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan opposed them.
Note 1:
In accordance with amendments to the Electoral law promulgated on 27 May 2016, the number of single-member constituencies decreased from 295 to 289, and the number of members elected under the proportional system fell from 180 to 176. Accordingly, the number of members of the House of Representatives has been reduced from 475 to 465.
Note 2:
Prior to the 2017 elections, the main opposition Democratic Party (which itself had been formed in March 2016 by the Democratic Party of Japan and two other parties) split into several parties. Most members joined Kibo no To, formed by Governor Koike, who herself did not stand for the 2017 elections. Fifteen other members joined the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, while Democratic Party leader Seiji Maehara and other senior members ran as independents.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
7
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
63.64%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
60.43%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
2
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total | Majority | Proportional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) | 281 | 215 | 66 |
| Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan | 54 | 17 | 37 |
| Kibo no To (Party of Hope) | 50 | 18 | 32 |
| Komeito | 29 | 8 | 21 |
| Independents | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| Japanese Communist Party (JCP) | 12 | 1 | 11 |
| Nippon Ishin no To (Japan Restoration Party) | 11 | 3 | 8 |
| Social Democratic Party (SDPJ) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
418
Number of women elected
47
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
10.11%
Other notes
Note on the Distribution of seats:
- Three independent candidates-elect joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after the elections, bringing the LDP's tally to 284 in all.
- One independent candidate-elect joined the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, bringing the party's tally to 55 in all.
Parliamentary groups in the House of Representatives as at 30 October 2017.
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): 284
- Constitutional Democratic Party - Civic Club: 55
- Kibo no To (Party of Hope) - Independents Club: 51
- Komeito: 29
- Association of Independents: 13
- Japanese Communist Party (JCP): 12
- Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party): 11
- Liberal Party: 2
- Social Democratic Party (SDPJ) - Citizens Coalition: 2
- Independents: 6
- Three independent candidates-elect joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after the elections, bringing the LDP's tally to 284 in all.
- One independent candidate-elect joined the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, bringing the party's tally to 55 in all.
Parliamentary groups in the House of Representatives as at 30 October 2017.
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): 284
- Constitutional Democratic Party - Civic Club: 55
- Kibo no To (Party of Hope) - Independents Club: 51
- Komeito: 29
- Association of Independents: 13
- Japanese Communist Party (JCP): 12
- Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party): 11
- Liberal Party: 2
- Social Democratic Party (SDPJ) - Citizens Coalition: 2
- Independents: 6
Sources
House of Representatives (31.10.2017)
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Kyodo News Service
Jiji Press
The Japan Times
The Sankei Shimbun
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Kyodo News Service
Jiji Press
The Japan Times
The Sankei Shimbun
Women Directly Elected
47
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
418
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
47
First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
50
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
01.11.2017
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Tadamori
Oshima
(Male)
Political party
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
Date of election
01.11.2017