Japan PM Takaichi's party achieves historic Lower House victory - NHKニュース

Japan PM Takaichi's party achieves historic Lower House victory The ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic victory in the Lower House election.

Two smaller opposition parties, Sanseito and Team Mirai, are making gains. The largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance lost more than one hundred seats.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke with NHK about her plans for the government. She said: "I think the current Cabinet is a good team. It's still only just over three months since it was launched, but the members have been working really hard and are producing results. So I don't think I will change it. Most parties are in favor of reducing the consumption tax, such as reducing the tax on food items to zero, or to 5 percent, or reducing the tax on all items to 5 percent. The LDP has also campaigned for a consumption tax cut. I strongly want to call for the establishment of a supra-party forum to speed up discussion on this, as it is a big issue."

A coalition with a two-thirds majority would be able to pass bills rejected by the Upper House. Proposals to amend the Constitution also need that level of support in both chambers before going to a referendum.

Opposition leaders spoke to NHK about the results so far. Sanseito President Kamiya Sohei said: "We were able to field 182 candidates in this election, one in each district. It was a big challenge for our party. We will examine the results, such as the percentage of votes we gained, and build a system that will allow us to perform well in single-seat constituencies nationwide. I think creating an organization that is competent for ground battles will lead to the party's expansion."

Team Mirai Leader Anno Takahiro said: "I am relieved to have achieved our goal of winning five or more seats. Our party has had only one seat up to now, but from tomorrow, we can work as a team and can work in real terms. During our campaign, we insisted that the reduction of social insurance premiums should be given priority over consumption tax cuts. I understand that gaining so many votes means that the public to some extent supports our proposal. I would like Prime Minister Takaichi to take this into consideration in advancing her plan to create a forum to discuss taxes and other issues."

NHK data shows the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose around half its seats.

Noda Yoshihiko, a CRA Co-President, told NHK: "I think we must take the will of many voters seriously and humbly. Severe results are coming out, and I think we have to be humble to receive them. The overall picture of the outcome remains to be seen and I am hoping that our candidates win as many seats as possible. I would like to say more after the final results are unveiled. In any case, I have a certain resolution in my mind. But I will consult with other senior members and respond to the situation considering the party's future."

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke with NHK about her plans for the government. She said: "I think the current Cabinet is a good team. It's still only just over three months since it was launched, but the members have been working really hard and are producing results. So I don't think I will change it. Most parties are in favor of reducing the consumption tax, such as reducing the tax on food items to zero, or to 5 percent, or reducing the tax on all items to 5 percent. The LDP has also campaigned for a consumption tax cut. I strongly want to call for the establishment of a supra-party forum to speed up discussion on this, as it is a big issue."

A coalition with a two-thirds majority would be able to pass bills rejected by the Upper House. Proposals to amend the Constitution also need that level of support in both chambers before going to a referendum.

Meanwhile, NHK data shows the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose around half its seats. Both of the CRA's Co-Presidents spoke to NHK. Noda Yoshihiko said, "I think we must take the will of many voters seriously and humbly. Severe results are coming out, and I think we have to be humble to receive them. The overall picture of the outcome remains to be seen and I am hoping that our candidates win as many seats as possible. I would like to say more after the final results are unveiled. In any case, I have a certain resolution in my mind. But I will consult with other senior members and respond to the situation considering the party's future."

Saito Tetsuo said, "I also take the results truly gravely. As Noda said, I myself also have a certain resolution in my mind. But vote counting is still underway. We will examine the final outcome later and hold talks with senior officials. I think that the forming of the centrist alliance this time was very important for Japan's politics. I think we should create a new system to maintain and expand it."

Some of the CRA's big names have suffered. NHK's decision desk projects that Ozawa Ichiro has lost his seat in Iwate District 3. He spent 19 terms in the Lower House and served as the LDP's secretary-general. He later became the leader of the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan.

NHK's decision desk says the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has surged past the threshold for a majority on its own and could even gain 300 seats in the Lower House. That will keep Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in power.

Projections also show that the ruling coalition could secure 310 seats, giving it a two-thirds majority, when seats from junior partner the Japan Innovation party are included.

LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Kobayashi Takayuki said: "I personally think that voters welcomed Prime Minister and LDP leader Takaichi Sanae's agenda to build a strong economy through strategic investments under responsible, proactive fiscal policy. She placed this idea in the center of the LDP's campaign pledges."

NHK data also shows that the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose around half its seats.

Nakano Hiromasa, CRA Co-Secretary General, said: "I think we have to take the results humbly and seriously, although the final results have yet to come and are being projected. Vote counting is still ongoing in many districts that are closely contested. I will keep closely watching developments, hoping our candidates win as many seats as possible."

The CRA's other co-secretary-general, Azumi Jun, is projected to lose his seat.

Sources have told NHK that Azumi intends to step down from the party post. This comes as projections show the party may lose about half its seats, including Azumi's in Miyagi District 4.

NHK's decision desk says the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will secure a majority on its own and could even reach 300 seats in the Lower House. That would keep Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in power.

Combined with the seats from its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling coalition could even secure 310, giving it a two-thirds majority.

NHK data shows the largest opposition party, the Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose around half its seats. Another question is whether Sanseito and Team Mirai can each reach double digits.

In a sign of how the CRA is faring, NHK's decision desk projects that Azumi Jun, the CRA's Co-Secretary-General has lost his seat in Miyagi District 4 to an LDP contender.

Azumi said, "The result of this election is out. The vote counting will continue but I sincerely apologize for losing such a precious seat this time due to my failings."

It remains to be seen whether he can pick up a seat through proportional representation.

The LDP is expected to secure 274 to 328 seats, giving it an absolute stable majority. A party with that status can chair all 17 standing committees in the chamber and hold a majority of seats in them. According to NHK exit polls and analysis, the ruling coalition is expected to secure 302 to 366 seats. 310 would give it a two-thirds majority. Any party or coalition with that status is able to pass bills rejected by the Upper House. Proposals to amend the Constitution also need that level of support in both chambers before going to a referendum.

The NHK decision desk's calls are based on data gathered at polling stations on election day and throughout the campaign.

The LDP is expected to secure 274 to 328 seats. This means it will gain a single-party majority for the first time since the 2021 election.

The Centrist Reform Alliance is likely to win 37 to 91 seats. Its pre-election total was 172.

The Japan Innovation Party is predicted to win 28 to 38.

The Democratic Party for the People is likely to get 18 to 35.

The Japanese Communist Party may get 3 to 8.

Reiwa Shinsengumi could secure 2 at most.

Tax Cuts Japan - Patriotic Alliance, could secure 3 at most.

Sanseito, is likely to get 5 to 14. Its pre-election number was 2.

The Conservative Party of Japan could secure 1 seat.

The Social Democratic Party is unlikely to secure any seats.

Team Mirai is likely to get 7 to 13.

And independents are likely to secure 3 to 8.