Japan exit accounts: coalition may lose majority in parliament

Japan’s ruling parties may lose their majority in parliament. Exit polls show heavy losses for the socially liberal LDP and its junior government partner Komeito. The largest opposition party CDP is growing, but it will not get enough seats in parliament to govern on its own.

A bad outcome was already expected for those in power beforehand. The LDP, which has been in power almost all the time since 1955, has been marred by a series of scandals. In August, Prime Minister Kishida decided not standing for re-election because of the popularity of him and his party.

His successor, Shigeru Ishiba, decided to call new parliamentary elections. But it does not seem that he managed to get the necessary command for his main role.

According to an exit poll by public broadcaster NHK, LDP, together with Komeito, will get between 153 and 219 seats. A minimum of 233 seats is required for a majority in the House of Commons. “It was a tough fight for us,” the LDP campaign chief says.

According to the same exit poll, the opposition party CDP will get between 128 and 191 seats in parliament. Before the elections, this party still had 98 seats.