For the first time in over half a century, Japan's ruling party lost its majority in Parliament. Japanese voters dealt a blow to the country's ruling party in Sunday's elections, thrusting the world's fourth-largest economy into an unusual period of political uncertainty.
Since 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has governed almost uninterruptedly. Now, for the first time in 15 years, he lost his majority in the powerful lower house.
The LDP has traditionally been Japan's ruling party, supporting conservative policies, pro-US alliances, and strengthening defense, especially given regional tensions with China and North Korea. However, recent corruption scandals, including a slush fund issue, have reduced its popularity, particularly among younger voters.
A majority of 233 seats is required in the 465-seat House of Representatives. This time, the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito secured only 215 seats, according to the public broadcaster NHK.
In a society where honor is a core value, scandals plaguing the ruling party have eroded its standing, especially given how party financing controversies affected citizens already burdened by rising living costs and inflation. This growing discontent was ultimately reflected in the polls.
Impact of the US Economy on Japan
Japan's economy has been hit not only by its own challenges but also by the economic policies of the United States.
As the world's fourth-largest economy, Japan remains closely linked to the US, with "Bidenomics" impacting Japanese finances.
The research portal EveryCRS, representing the Congressional Research Service (CRS), explains that the two economies are deeply intertwined through trade in goods and services, each being a major market for the other's exports and a key source of imports.
Most notably, Japan and the United States are closely connected through capital flows, with Japan as a significant foreign financier of US national debt.
As US public debt continues to grow, internal savings alone are insufficient to cover investment needs, and Japan is also a critical source of private investment in the US, with the reverse holding true as well.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, US inflation reached historic highs, raising living costs that occurred in Japan, especially with the rise in fuel prices driving up other product costs.
In other words, beyond any scandals or failures by Japan's ruling party, economic troubles in the US were undoubtedly a factor that affected Japan's economy. Depending on the results of November's elections, Japan's economic situation could improve.
Gender Divisions in Voting
Amid Japan's electoral upheaval, a noteworthy trend emerged: the Conservative Party of Japan (CPJ) achieved significant results. Formed largely by author Naoki Hyakuta, the CPJ drew a substantial portion of its support from middle-aged men, according to an Asahi Shimbun exit poll.
Asahi's exit poll shows 69% of CPJ voters were men, and 31% women, with male highest representation among the 11 regional blocs in proportional representation.
Japan recently reached a record number of women elected to the House of Representatives, but even so, they hold less than 16% of seats. According to NHK, women won 73 of the 465 seats at stake in the lower house.
While some outlets celebrate this increase in female representation, few discuss the gender division it highlights—a phenomenon also observed in South Korea and Western nations, where feminist rhetoric has exacerbated societal divides, leading to a “class struggle” that now fuels gender-based contention.
The highest proportion of female voters supported the Social Democratic Party at 60%, followed by the coalition partner Komeito at 58%, and the Japanese Communist Party at 57%.
In stark contrast, male voters seem increasingly disillusioned. The CPJ has begun to gain traction from this sentiment.
