NHK’s decision desk is projecting a tight race. Our forecasts show that it’s not clear whether the ruling coalition can secure a majority. We will gather various reactions, such as how the parties and candidates accept the results.
Prime Minister and President of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party Ishiba Shigeru says projections of voting results indicate a difficult situation for his party.
Speaking to a commercial broadcaster, Ishiba suggested his party failed to gain public understanding over the issue of politics and money, and that this was the biggest blow for the LDP.
He said he had the impression that the issue dominated discussions during the election campaign over other issues, such as foreign and security policies or social security.
On another broadcaster, Ishiba was asked about the possibility of inviting opposition parties to join a coalition in the event that the LDP and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, fail to secure a majority.
Ishiba responded that although the overall results are still unknown, he would put priority on the policy of each party in determining which party the LDP can work with.
He added he cannot say for sure at this time whether this would be a coalition or cooperation outside the Cabinet.
JST 11:40 p.m. CDP leader Noda comments on projections
The leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Noda Yoshihiko said in an NHK news program that it is true that the CDP has made a big leap from the previous election.
Noda said, “We want to force the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito to lose their majority, and will be keeping a close eye on the vote counting.”
He went on to say that he needs to hold sincere dialogue with other opposition parties on the best way to deal with the special Diet session. He said dialogue will continue with an eye on how to fight the Upper House election in the summer next year.
JST 11:00 p.m. Seko will win Wakayama District 2
NHK is projecting that Seko Hiroshige will win Wakayama District 2 in western Japan. Seko is running as an independent after he was forced to leave the LDP over the fundraising scandal.
Seko said he thinks many people supported him and gave him another chance. He said he has felt the strong public reaction to concerns about money and politics. He added he will work hard to promote reforms and make political funding more transparent.
Seko was a former member of the Upper House. He has been elected five times for the Wakayama constituency. He also served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, LDP candidate Nikai Nobuyasu is projected to lose the seat for the same constituency.
Nikai said he has sole responsibility for the election result. He said it is regrettable that he could not live up to the expectations of people who want to see Wakayama develop, and he is sorry.
Nikai served as the secretary for his father, former LDP heavyweight Nikai Toshihiro. He decided to run in the election after his father stepped aside over the political funds scandal.
JST 10:20 p.m. LDP senior members’ reaction
NHK is projecting that two heavyweights of the Liberal Democratic Party will win their own constituencies.
Takaichi Sanae is projected to keep her seat for Nara District 2.
Takaichi told supporters: “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your important vote. In my next term, I will work as hard as possible to realize the policies I have pledged during the campaign. So I would like to ask you to continue to give me guidance. Thank you very much.”
The 63-year-old veteran lawmaker won the Lower House seat for the first time in 1993. Takaichi previously served as the country’s Economic Security Minister.
Motegi Toshimitsu is also projected to win Tochigi District 5.
Motegi said he was campaigning for his 11th term amid severe headwinds, including the political funds issue.
He said running the government will become much more difficult than before, but he will work hard to realize the economic revitalization he promised.
Motegi is the former Foreign Minister and previously served as the LDP’s Secretary-General.
JST 9:40 p.m. CDP reaction
NHK is projecting Edano Yukio, a candidate with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, will secure his seat for Saitama District 5.
Edano said: “We are required to pass the political reform related laws as soon as possible. I don’t know the overall results yet, but the ruling parties also need to think about it.”
The former CDP leader is now the party’s top advisor. Edano has been elected to the Lower House ten times since 1993.
On NHK’s initial projections, the party’s Executive Deputy President Tsujimoto Kiyomi said: “We believe that the change of government is the biggest political reform, and that there is no economic growth without political reform. In particular, measures to deal with rising commodity prices and a shift in economic policies — we have fought on these two pillars. I feel as if I have received more support than before, but there are still some closely contested constituencies, and everyone is waiting anxiously at the party headquarters.”
JST 9:35 p.m. LDP reaction
The LDP lawmaker in charge of the general election Koizumi Shinjiro said early projections of voting results as reported by media suggested a very difficult situation for his party.
Koizumi added that whatever the outcome, he is responsible as the LDP’s Election Strategy Committee Chairperson.
He said he felt sorry for his colleagues across the country, though vote counting was still ongoing.
Koizumi pledged to follow incoming poll results until the end and to face the outcome.