Legislative in Japan: the ruling coalition retreats but retains a narrow majority

he Secretary General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan, Akira Amari (left), bows to Prime Minister and Party leader Fumio Kishida (and right) at party headquarters in Tokyo on a train on October 31, 2021, following the general elections in Japan.

AFP - BEHROUZ MEHRI

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida should be able to remain in power in Japan despite the sharp decline of his party during the early parliamentary elections held this Sunday, October 31, according to projections by the NHK channel.

Advertising

Read more

The Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) is expected to retain a narrow majority in the lower house of parliament, where it can also count on the support of a small party.

The ballot was a test of confidence for Kumio Kishida, who had summoned him a few days after taking office earlier this month, replacing Yoshihide Suga who had himself succeeded Shinzo Abe in September 2020.

According to NHK projections, the governing coalition in power is expected to gain between 239 and 288 seats, more than the 233 required to hold an absolute majority but less than in the outgoing Parliament (305).

The PLD itself would go from 276 seats, to arguably just over 233 seats, according to the latest projections.

The decline of the PLD at the polls will make it more dependent on the Buddhist Komeito party, hostile to the restart of nuclear power plants shut down following the Fukushima accident in 2011, and traditionally more benevolent towards China than the conservatives.

While the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) should retain the majority in the lower house of parliament, which it has continuously controlled since 2009, this tight result should not completely reassure the conservative party with a view to the renewal of the upper house. next year.

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

• Japan

• Fumio Kishida