Japan

House of Representatives

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

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)
27 Oct 2024
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
09 Oct 2024
Timing of election
Early elections
Expected date of next elections
31 Oct 2028
Number of seats at stake
465
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
12
Total number of candidates
1,344
Number of male candidates
1,030
Number of female candidates
314
Number of other candidates
Not applicable
Percentage of women candidates
23.4%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
103,880,749
Voters
55,930,899
Voter turnout
53.8%

Results

About the election

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), now led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (see note 1), lost its majority in the 465-member House of Representatives in elections that were held a year earlier than constitutionally due. The LDP's share of seats sharply decreased from 259 in 2021 to 191 (see note 2). Its coalition partner, Komeito, led by Mr. Keiichi Ishii (who himself was voted out), also reduced its share of seats from 32 to 24. By contrast, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), the main opposition party led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, significantly increased its share of seats from 96 to 148. Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party, JIP, led by Mr. Nobuyuki Baba) remained the third force in the new legislature, winning 38 seats (down from 41). The Democratic Party for the People (DPP, led by Mr. Yuichiro Tamaki) more than doubled its share of seats from 11 to 28, and became the fourth largest force. The number of women increased from 45 (9.7%) to a record 73 (15.7%).

Following the elections, the CDP leader Mr. Noda said he would work with other parties to oust Prime Minister Ishiba. The DPP and JIP ruled out joining an LDP-led coalition, but said they were open to ad hoc cooperation on certain issues. Prime Minister Ishiba said he would seek to form a minority government. On 11 November, the newly elected House of Representatives re-elected Mr. Ishiba (LDP) as the Prime Minister in a run-off premiership election.

The 2024 elections followed a major scandal involving unrecorded donations to LDP parliamentarians. The elections were held amid high inflation and a rising cost of living. Key electoral issues included economic measures to counter inflation, and the minimum wage.

Note 1:
Mr. Ishiba, a former defence minister, was elected as the new LDP leader on 27 September 2024, and succeeded Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on 1 October. Shortly before taking office, Mr. Ishiba announced his intention to call early elections. The House of Representatives was dissolved on 9 October, only eight days after he assumed the premiership.

Note 2:
Six independent candidates joined the LDP after the elections, giving it 197 seats. Together with Komeito, the ruling coalition holds 221 seats in all.

Number of parties winning seats
10
Percentage of parties winning seats
83.3%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
41.1%

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total Majority Proportional
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 191 132 59
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan 148 104 44
Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) 38 23 15
Democratic Party for the People 28 11 17
Komeito 24 4 20
Reiwa Shinsengumi 9 0 9
Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 8 1 7
Sanseito 3 0 3
Conservative Party of Japan 2 0 2
Social Democratic Party (SDP) 1 1 0
Others 1 1 0
Independents 12 12 0
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
392
Number of women elected
73
Percentage of women elected
15.7%
Women Directly Elected
73
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
392
Total number of women after the election
73
Percentage of women after the election
15.7%
First-term parliamentarians
92
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
19.8%
Date of the first session
11 Nov 2024

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No