rki.news

TOKYO, Feb. 9: Japan’s ruling coalition, led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), secured more than a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives following Sunday’s general election, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The coalition won 352 seats in the 465-member lower house, surpassing the threshold required to override legislation rejected by the upper chamber. The LDP alone captured 316 seats, granting it independent control of two-thirds of the chamber and significantly strengthening its legislative authority.

While the JIP slightly increased its representation, gaining two additional seats to reach 36, its influence within the coalition is expected to decline due to the LDP’s commanding majority.

The main opposition bloc, the Centrist Reform Alliance — formed in January by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito — suffered heavy losses, dropping to 49 seats from its previous 172. Alliance co-leaders Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito indicated they plan to step down following the defeat.

Among smaller parties, the populist Sanseito expanded its presence from two seats to 15, while the Democratic Party for the People secured 28 seats, up from 27.

A total of 1,284 candidates contested the 465 seats, comprising 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats across 11 regional blocs. The election marked Japan’s first February lower house vote since 1990 — a decision by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that drew criticism as heavy snowfall in parts of the country complicated campaign activities.