LDP WINS BIG:
Hashimoto to Stay On after Strong Election Showing

The Liberal Democratic Party made large gains in the election for the House of Representatives held on October 20, winning 28 seats more than it held prior to the election for a total of 239 seats--12 shy of a majority.

The election was the first held under the new system combining of single-seat constituencies and proportional representation. Election returns were tabulated later the same day. Under the new system, 300 seats were contested in local electoral districts with one candidate receiving the most votes capturing a seat in the lower house. An additional 200 seats were divided among the parties in proportion to their showing in 11 regional blocs according to a list prepared beforehand by each party.

The LDP enhanced its position as the largest party in the lower house with 239 seats, while the New Frontier Party, which had hoped to sweep into power, fell four seats shy of its preelection strength to 156 seats.

The Democratic Party of Japan, formed just prior to the balloting, won 52 seats--the same number it had going into the election. The Japanese Communist Party won 26 seats, or 11 seats more that it had before the voting.

The Social Democratic Party, which was the second largest party in the ruling coalition with 30 seats, managed to win only half that number, while New Party Sakigake, the third coalition member, fell from 9 seats to just 2.

The LDP is expected to again forge a coalition with other parties and independent members to remain in power. The Constitution stipulates that an extraordinary session of the National Diet be convened within 30 days of election day to designate a new prime minister.

Notes: (1) Figures in parentheses are breakdowns for the single-seat districts and proportional representation. (2) Preelection strength and upper house (House of Councillors) seats are as of October 7, 1996.