Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. [Reuters Yonhap News]

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a historic landslide victory in the House of Representatives election (general election) held on the 8th.

According to NHK's election vote count broadcast, as of 1:23 AM on the 9th, the LDP had secured 311 seats, exceeding 310 seats, which is two-thirds of the total 465 seats in the House of Representatives.

This surpasses the LDP's all-time record of 300 seats in the general election during the Yasuhiro Nakasone administration in 1986. However, the total number of seats at that time was 512.

During Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tenure, the total number of seats was the same as it is now, but he did not manage to secure up to 300 seats.

NHK reported, "This is the first time since the war that a single party has secured more than two-thirds of the seats (in the House of Representatives)."

Having more than two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives allows for the re-approval of bills rejected by the current opposition-dominated House of Councillors, thus enabling the ruling party to push forward its policies with dominance.

Prior to the announcement of this election, the LDP held 198 seats.

With this, the LDP has solidified a strong governing base by regaining a simple majority of seats after 1 year and 4 months, which they lost in the general election in October 2024 during the Shigeru Ishiba administration.

Previously, the LDP had maintained a "one-strong regime" by securing a simple majority of seats independently in four general elections: 2014, 2017, and 2021, starting with regaining power from the former Democratic Party cabinet in 2012. However, they faced a situation of opposition dominance during the Shigeru Ishiba administration.

The coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, secured 31 seats in the interim vote count.

This brings the total number of seats for the LDP-Japan Innovation Party coalition in the House of Representatives to over 340.

However, the LDP is not in a position to immediately propose constitutional amendments.

To propose constitutional amendments, more than two-thirds of the members of the House of Councillors must also approve, in addition to the House of Representatives. Currently, the House of Councillors is dominated by the opposition. The House of Councillors election is scheduled for 2028.

The LDP, which has advocated for constitutional reform, also secured more than two-thirds of the seats with the coalition partner Komeito in the 2017 general election during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's tenure. The Abe administration initiated discussions on constitutional reform at the time but failed to propose an amendment due to Komeito's cautious stance.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who led the LDP's decisive victory in this general election, appeared on NHK on the evening of the 8th as the ruling party's securing of 310 seats became certain, but she did not comment on constitutional reform.

She expressed her commitment to future policy implementation by stating, "What I truly wanted to be judged on was responsible, proactive fiscal policy that significantly shifts economic and fiscal policy."

Regarding the cabinet members for the upcoming second Takaichi administration, she also revealed her thoughts on personnel matters, saying, "I believe the current cabinet members are a good team. Since everyone is working very hard and producing results, I have no intention of making changes."

In Japan, after a general election, a special parliamentary session is convened to re-elect the Prime Minister, followed by the formation of a new cabinet. However, with the victory in this general election, Prime Minister Takaichi's reappointment is considered certain.

However, she, who is known for her right-wing stance, stated on Fuji TV on the same evening regarding visits to Yasukuni Shrine, "First, we must gain proper understanding from our allies and neighboring countries. I am making efforts to create a favorable environment."

As the vote counting is still ongoing, the owners of about 20 seats have not yet been decided. The main opposition party, the Center-Reform Alliance (Center-Reform Party), has only secured 42 seats.

Considering their previous 167 seats before the election announcement, a complete defeat is certain.

In addition, the second opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (previous 27 seats), has secured 25 seats. The ultra-right-wing party, the Party for Japanese Kokoro (2 seats), has secured 12 seats. Team Mirai, founded in last year's House of Councillors election (previous 0 seats), has secured 7 seats. The Communist Party (previous 8 seats) has secured 3 seats, respectively.