“During the Japanese House of Representatives election (general election) held on October 27th, the ruling party suffered a defeat, and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party made significant gains. As a result, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) and Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda are set to face off for the position of prime minister. /Photo: Yonhap News.
On November 11, in the prime ministerial nomination election’s first round held during a special session of the House of Representatives (lower house), Shigeru Ishiba, the president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of the top opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, ranked first and second, respectively. Consequently, a runoff to nominate the prime minister will be held for the first time in 30 years.
In the first round of voting, Prime Minister Ishiba received 221 votes, while Leader Noda received 151 votes. Out of a total of 465 votes, no candidate secured a majority, leading to a runoff for the prime ministerial nomination. In the runoff, the candidate with the most votes, regardless of majority, will be nominated as prime minister.
In the runoff, the Japan Restoration Party, the second opposition party, and the Democratic Party for the People, the third opposition party, which hold the casting votes, are expected to support their respective party leaders instead of aligning with the opposition coalition.”