At Stake in this Election: 

• 125* seats in the House of Councillors 

* Initially, 124 seats were scheduled for renewal. The resignation of a Councilor brought the total to 125. 

Government Structure: 

• Chief of State: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019) 

• Head of Government: Prime Minister Shigeru ISHIBA (since 1 October 2024) 

• Assembly: bicameral National Diet (Kokkai), comprised of the 465-seat House of Representatives (Shugiin) and the 248-seat House of Councillors (Sangiin) 

Electoral System: 

• The monarchy is hereditary, although succession practices must be in line with laws established by the National Diet.  

• The Prime Minister is nominated by members of the National Diet via a resolution and is formally appointed to office by the emperor. The Prime Minister is usually the head of the majority party or coalition in the House of Representatives.  

• All members of the House of Representatives are directly elected via a mixed electoral system. Members serve 4-year terms.  

• All members of the House of Councillors are directly elected via a mixed system. Members serve a 6-year term.  

Last Election: 

The last election for House of Councillors was held on July 10, 2022. The Liberal Democratic Party (Jiyū-Minshutō) won 63 seats, the Constitutional Democratic Party (Rikken-minshutō) won 17 seats, the Komeito party won 13 seats, and Nippon Ishin no Kai won 12 seats. Voter turnout was 52%. 

Information for Voters: 

なるほど！選挙 / I see! Election (in Japanese)   

Key Deadlines: 

• Voter registration deadline: not applicable; voter registration is passive.    

Main Parties in this Election: 

• Liberal Democratic Party (LDP/Jimintō) / Jiyū-Minshutō    

• • Seats won in last election: 63 out of 124 

• Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP or Minshutō) / Rikken-minshutō    

• • Seats won in last election: 17 out of 124 

• Japan Innovation Party / Nippon Ishin no Kai   

• • Seats won in last election: 12 out of 124 

• Komeito (NKP) / Kōmeitō    

• • Seats won in last election: 13 out of 124 

• Democratic Party of the People (DPP) / Kokumin Minshu-tō    

• • Seats won in last election: 5 out of 124 

• Japanese Communist Party (JCP) / Nihon Kyōsan-tō    

• • Seats won in last election: 4 out of 124 

• Reiwa Shinsengumi / Reiwa Shinsengumi   

• • Seats won in last election: 3 out of 124 

• Social Democratic Party / Shakai Minshu-tō (Shamin-tō)   

• • Seats won in last election: 1 out of 124 

Population and Registered Voters: 

• Population: 123,975,371 (2024 est.)  

• Registered Voters: 104,083,563 (2024) 

Gender Data: 

• Female Population: 63,745,563 (2023 est.)  

• CEDAW Status: Signed 17 July 1980, Ratified 25 June 1985 

• Gender Quota: No legislated quotas. Some political parties have adopted voluntary quotas.  

• Female Candidates in this election: Yes 

• Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 73 out of 465 in the House of Representatives and 61 out of 248 members of the House of Councillors 

• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.920, Very high (2022 est.) 

• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: 32.9% (2025 est.) 

Disability Data: 

• CRPD Status: Signed 28 September 2007, Ratified 20 January 2014 

• Projected population with a disability: 19,836,059 (2024 est.) 

IFES Resources: 

• ElectionJudgments: Yes, 5 judgments