Nov 01, 2021 (NHK) - Voters in Japan gave the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party control of the Lower House in Sunday's election.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's party secured what's called an absolute stable majority, even without the help of its coalition partner. This ensures it can easily shepherd bills through the House.
The LDP secured 261 of the 465 seats in the powerful chamber.
Its junior coalition partner Komeito won 32 seats, a net gain.
On the opposition side, the Constitutional Democratic Party will remain the largest opposition party. It secured 96, down 13 seats from what it had going into the election.
Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party won 41, more than tripling its share in the chamber.
The LDP will once again have the power to chair and hold half of the seats on all standing committees.
The prime minister has been in the role for less than a month. He says voters have now given him a mandate, and he will work to follow through on his campaign promises.
But the party's top executive suffered a personal setback. Amari Akira has become the first sitting LDP secretary-general to lose a single-seat district vote.
Although he secured a seat through proportional representation, he conveyed to Kishida his intention to resign from his post. Amari oversaw the LDP's election campaign.
Adding in the seats secured by Komeito, the ruling coalition is continuing its political dominance.
The coalition also controls the Upper House.
