Next Japanese general election facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Next Japanese general election

← 2017 On or before 22 October 2021
All 465 seats to the House of Representatives of Japan 233 seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Leader Yoshihide Suga Yukio Edano Natsuo Yamaguchi Party Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Komeito Leader since 14 September 2020 15 September 2020 8 September 2009 Leader's seat Yamaguchi-4th Saitama-5th Not contesting (Councillor) Last election 284 seats, 33.28% 55 seats, 19.88% 29 seats, 12.51% Current seats 283 108 29 Seats needed 357 204   Leader Kazuo Shii Ichirō Matsui Yuichiro Tamaki Party Japanese Communist Party Nippon Ishin no Kai Democratic Party for the People Leader since 24 November 2000 2 November 2015 11 September 2020 Leader's seat Minami-Kantō PR Not contesting (Mayor of Osaka) Kagawa-2nd Last election 12 seats, 7.90% 11 seats, 6.07% New party Current seats 12 10 40 Seats needed 221 N/A 193   Leader Mizuho Fukushima Takashi Tachibana Party Social Democratic Party (Japan) The Party to Protect the People from NHK Leader since 22 February 2020 17 June 2013 Leader's seat Not contesting (Councillor) None Last election 2 seats, 1.69% Did not contest Current seats 2 1 Seats needed 231 232
Parliamentary districts not including proportional blocks
Incumbent Prime Minister Shinzō Abe Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)

The 49th general election of members of the House of Representatives (第49回衆議院議員総選挙 (dai-yonjūkyūkai Shūgiin giin sōsenkyo)) is a big event in Japan. It's when people vote for who will represent them in the government. This election must happen by October 22, 2021, as set by Japan's Constitution.

People across Japan will cast their votes in all the different areas, called Representatives constituencies. This election decides who gets to be part of the House of Representatives of Japan.

What is a General Election?

A general election is a time when all the people in a country get to vote for their leaders. In Japan, this election chooses members for the House of Representatives. This house is a very important part of Japan's government, similar to a parliament in other countries.

Why are Elections Important?

Elections are how citizens choose who will make decisions for them. The people elected will work on laws and policies that affect everyone's daily lives. They help decide things like education, healthcare, and the economy.

Japan's House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is one of two parts of Japan's national assembly, called the National Diet. It has 465 members. These members are chosen by voters from all over Japan.

How Members are Chosen

In this election, all 465 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs. To win, a political party or a group of parties needs to get at least 233 seats. This number is called the "majority" and it helps them lead the government.

Main Political Parties and Leaders

Many political parties take part in Japan's general election. Each party has a leader and ideas about how to run the country. Here are some of the main parties and their leaders:

• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): This is currently the largest party. Their leader is Yoshihide Suga. They have held many seats in the past.
• Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP): This party is one of the main opposition parties. Their leader is Yukio Edano.
• Komeito: This party often works with the LDP. Their leader is Natsuo Yamaguchi.
• Japanese Communist Party (JCP): This party has different ideas about how society should be organized. Their leader is Kazuo Shii.
• Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party): This party focuses on reforms. Their leader is Ichirō Matsui.
• Democratic Party for the People (DPFP): This is another important party. Their leader is Yuichiro Tamaki.
• Social Democratic Party (SDP): This party focuses on social justice. Their leader is Mizuho Fukushima.
• The Party to Protect the People from NHK: This party focuses on issues related to the national broadcasting company. Their leader is Takashi Tachibana.

The Role of the Prime Minister

The leader of the party or group of parties that wins the most seats usually becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the government in Japan. Before this election, Shinzō Abe was the Prime Minister, from the Liberal Democratic Party.

How Voting Works

When people vote in Japan, they cast two votes. One vote is for a specific person in their local area. The other vote is for a political party. This system helps make sure that both local areas and different political ideas are represented in the government.