February 10, 2026
In the February 8 general election, the Japanese Communist Party won four proportional representation seats, a decline from its pre-election strength of eight seats. The Liberal Democratic Party increased its number of seats from 198 to 316, securing a stable majority of over two-thirds in the 465-member Lower House.
This outcome means that, even if government-proposed bills are rejected in the House of Councillors, they can be passed in the House of Representatives. It also paves the way for constitutional amendments to be proposed. The danger of a high-handed style of politics is likely to increase rapidly.
Meanwhile, the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) formed by the Constitutional Democratic Party and the “Komeito” party suffered a major setback, falling from 167 seats to just 49. Key figures such as CRA co-secretary general Azumi Jun and other veteran lawmakers lost their seats.
The “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, the LDP’s coalition partner, increased its seats by two to 36. The Democratic Party for the People (DPP) secured 28 seats, up one from its previous number of seats. The “Sanseito” party added 13 seats, bringing its total to 15. The “Team Mirai” party won a seat in the House of Representatives for the first time, gaining eleven seats in total. The “Genzei Yukoku” party lost four seats, ending up with one.
The “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party lost seven seats, retaining just one seat, while the Social Democratic Party failed to win any.
The voter turnout rate was 56.26%. While this was higher than that for the previous general election in 2024, it was the fifth lowest since the end of WWII. The number of early voters hit a record high, accounting for 26.10% of all eligible voters.
This outcome means that, even if government-proposed bills are rejected in the House of Councillors, they can be passed in the House of Representatives. It also paves the way for constitutional amendments to be proposed. The danger of a high-handed style of politics is likely to increase rapidly.
Meanwhile, the Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) formed by the Constitutional Democratic Party and the “Komeito” party suffered a major setback, falling from 167 seats to just 49. Key figures such as CRA co-secretary general Azumi Jun and other veteran lawmakers lost their seats.
The “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, the LDP’s coalition partner, increased its seats by two to 36. The Democratic Party for the People (DPP) secured 28 seats, up one from its previous number of seats. The “Sanseito” party added 13 seats, bringing its total to 15. The “Team Mirai” party won a seat in the House of Representatives for the first time, gaining eleven seats in total. The “Genzei Yukoku” party lost four seats, ending up with one.
The “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party lost seven seats, retaining just one seat, while the Social Democratic Party failed to win any.
The voter turnout rate was 56.26%. While this was higher than that for the previous general election in 2024, it was the fifth lowest since the end of WWII. The number of early voters hit a record high, accounting for 26.10% of all eligible voters.
