Original reporting by Chang Po-cheng, The News Lens
TOKYO — Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a decisive victory in the February 8 House of Representatives election, winning 316 of 465 seats — surpassing the two-thirds supermajority threshold required to override the Upper House and potentially initiate constitutional revision procedures.
The results, reported by The News Lens (關鍵評論網) citing Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei, mark the highest seat total ever achieved by a single party in Japan’s postwar lower house.
The main opposition alliance — composed of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and Komeito — fell sharply from roughly 170 seats prior to the election to just 49 seats. The LDP’s governing partner, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), saw only modest gains, rising from 34 to 36 seats.
How Japan’s Mixed Electoral System Works
Japan’s lower house uses a hybrid voting system combining single-member districts and proportional representation. Of the 465 total seats, 289 are elected from single-member constituencies, while 176 are allocated proportionally by party list.
Voters cast two ballots — one for an individual candidate in their district and one for a political party in the proportional system.
According to The News Lens, the LDP’s dominance extended across both systems, with particularly strong performance in single-member districts.
Why the Two-Thirds Threshold Matters
Under Japan’s bicameral system, legislation rejected by the House of Councillors (Upper House) can still become law if the House of Representatives passes it again with a two-thirds majority. With 316 seats, the LDP alone clears that threshold.
More significantly, constitutional amendments in Japan require two-thirds approval in both chambers of the Diet before being submitted to a national referendum. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) has previously expressed support for revising Article 9 of the Constitution, including clarifying the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces.
While the LDP does not independently control two-thirds of the 248-seat Upper House, potential cooperation with right-leaning parties such as Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Democratic Party for the People could bring constitutional reform within reach before the next Upper House election in 2028.
Opposition Setback
The Constitutional Democratic Party emerged as the largest opposition casualty, shrinking from over 100 seats to just 21. Analysts cited by The News Lens suggest the opposition alliance struggled to unify voters behind a shared platform beyond opposition to the ruling coalition.
Komeito, which previously governed alongside the LDP, survived largely through proportional list placements despite not fielding candidates in single-member districts.
Political Context
Prime Minister Takaichi dissolved the lower house less than two years after the previous election, seeking a renewed public mandate following coalition realignment and policy shifts. Japanese prime ministers hold constitutional authority to dissolve parliament before the end of its four-year term, and early elections are not uncommon.
Japan’s next special Diet session is expected later this month to formally appoint the prime minister.
Original reporting: Chang Po-cheng (張博丞), International Editor, The News Lens
Sources cited by The News Lens: Asahi Shimbun, Nikkei, public election data
