LDP Secures Independent Majority in Japan's General Election... Kishida's Political Comeback

LDP Secures Majority Independently
Far-Right Opposition Party Nippon Ishin no Kai
Advances by 41 Seats...Rises as 'Third Party'

Gives Up 15 Seats
Core Supporters Shift to Nippon Ishin no Kai

▲Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, secured a majority of seats in the House of Representatives election (general election) held after the launch of the Kishida Cabinet, allowing Prime Minister Kishida to smoothly pass his first test. However, with a loss of 15 seats compared to the previous number, there is also an assessment that the 'core supporters' defected to the far-right Japan Innovation Party.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, NHK, and others on the 1st, in the Japanese general election held the previous day, the LDP secured 261 seats (56%) out of a total of 465 seats (289 constituency seats, 176 proportional representation seats). Although this is slightly fewer than the previous 276 seats, securing a majority in the first election since the launch of the Kishida Cabinet will give momentum to future government administration. Prime Minister Kishida was in a situation where failure to secure an outright majority for the LDP in the general election could have led to a premature end to his premiership.

During the election campaign period, some speculated that the LDP's outright majority seemed uncertain. For this reason, the LDP aimed for a majority through a coalition with the Komeito Party, and in this light, the result is considered a remarkable achievement.

A notable point in this election is the advance of the far-right opposition party Japan Innovation Party. The Japan Innovation Party increased its seats nearly fourfold from 11 to 41, surpassing the coalition partner Komeito Party (32 seats) to rapidly emerge as the third-largest party. The Japan Innovation Party is a far-right party rooted in the Japan Innovation Party of former Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. Former Mayor Hashimoto is well known for remarks justifying the mobilization of comfort women.

Following this election result, keen attention has turned to whether there will be changes in the Kishida Cabinet's defense policy. While the coalition partner Komeito opposes the LDP's push to acquire enemy base strike capabilities, the LDP's absolute stable majority allows it to pass related legislation without Komeito's cooperation. Additionally, the far-right Japan Innovation Party is also actively in favor of this. The enemy base strike capability refers to preemptively striking if a threat is detected before the enemy launches missiles, a proposal made by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August last year, a month before his retirement. Prime Minister Kishida has stated that "acquiring enemy base strike capability can be considered as one option."

Interest is also focused on the revision of Article 9 of the Constitution, known as the Peace Constitution. Article 9 stipulates Japan's renunciation of war and the use of force, as well as the possession of military forces, based on Japan's status as a pacifist country.

However, Komeito is passive about constitutional revision discussions, and the Japan Innovation Party has proposed amendments including free education and the establishment of a constitutional court, so it is widely expected that constitutional revision discussions will not gain momentum immediately after the general election.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kishida, who has solidified his position in this general election, is expected to secure reappointment at the special Diet session held on the 2nd and 3rd. If reappointed at this session, Prime Minister Kishida will promptly launch a new cabinet, and since the current cabinet has only been in office for a month, most ministers are expected to remain in their posts.

Upon the launch of the new cabinet, Prime Minister Kishida aims to prepare an economic package worth tens of trillions of yen during the general election process and obtain Diet approval within the year.

The new economic package is expected to include cash support measures targeting families with children who are struggling due to COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.