The 50th House of Representatives election was held on the 27th, with political reforms and economic measures in response to the Liberal Democratic Party's factional slush fund scandal being the main issues. The focus is on whether the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito can secure a majority of 233 seats, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba setting the majority as the victory line for the ruling parties.
This election is the first in three years since October 2021, with a total of 1,344 candidates running for all 465 seats, including 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats. The voter turnout has decreased to 24.32% as of 4 p.m.
The opposition parties struggled with candidate coordination, but the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People seem to have gained a certain level of support. Additionally, the "10 increase 10 decrease" adjustment for single-member districts was applied for the first time, and a by-election for the House of Councillors Iwate constituency was also held on the same day.
Japanese (日本語)
自民党裏金事件後初の第50回衆院選、与党過半数獲得が焦点に
第50回衆院選が27日に行われ、自民党の派閥裏金事件を受けた政治改革や経済対策が主な争点となっています。自民・公明両党が過半数の233議席を獲得できるかが焦点で、石破茂首相は与党で過半数を勝敗ラインと設定しています。
今回の選挙は2021年10月以来3年ぶりで、小選挙区289、比例代表176の全465議席に対し、計1344人が立候補しました。投票率は午後4時時点で24.32％と低下しています。
野党は候補者調整に苦戦しましたが、立憲民主党や国民民主党は一定の支持を得ている様子です。また、小選挙区の「10増10減」が初適用され、参院岩手選挙区補欠選挙も同日実施されました。
Sentence Quiz (文章問題)
Whether the ruling party can secure a majority, I'm looking forward to tonight's results!
「与党が過半数取れるかどうか、今夜の結果が楽しみ！」
It's noteworthy to see how much impact the slush fund scandal will have.
「裏金事件の影響がどれだけ出るか注目だね。」
I want to closely observe how far the momentum of the opposition party will grow.
「野党の勢いがどこまで伸びるか、しっかり見届けたい。」
I'm concerned about the low voter turnout; I wish people would be more interested.
「投票率が低いのが気になるなぁ、もっと関心持ってほしい。」
Related Words (関連ワード)
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| Japanese | Hiragana | English |
|---|---|---|
| 派閥的 | はばつてき | factional |
| 裏工作 | うらこうさく | slush |
| 比例した | ひれいした | proportional |
| 表現 | ひょうげん | representation |
| 選挙区 | せんきょく | constituency |
| 調整 | ちょうせい | coordination |
| 反対 | はんたい | opposition |
| 調整 | ちょうせい | adjustment |
| 大多数 | おおたすう | majority |
| 改革 | かいかく | reforms |
| 経済 | けいざい | economic |
| 対策 | たいさく | measures |
| スキャンダル | すきゃんだる | scandal |
| 候補者 | こうほしゃ | candidates |
| 投票率 | とうひょうりつ | turnout |
| 支配 | しはい | ruling |
| 選挙 | せんきょ | election |
| 勝利 | しょうり | victory |
| サポート | さぽーと | support |
| 減少 | げんしょう | decrease |
John and Kasumi's Discussions
So, Kasumi, today’s the big election day in Japan, right? You guys are voting on... uh, who stays in power and who gets the boot? Sounds intense!
そう、今日は衆議院選挙の日だよ。自民党が過半数を取れるかが焦点なんだけど、裏金事件があって、今回はかなり微妙な雰囲気なの。
Wait, wait. Did you just say bribery scandal? You mean politicians are handing out money under the table? Like in those crime dramas?
そうそう、「裏金選挙区」って呼ばれてるところもあるくらい。でも、自民党は公認しないとか言って対策してるけどね。
Wow! That sounds wild! So, you’re telling me some candidates are out there with no party approval, just rogue candidates with a fistful of cash? Like political outlaws?
うん、そんな感じ。公認なしで出てる候補者には「非公認なのに2,000万円も支給されてた」ってバレて、もう大騒ぎ。
That’s both sneaky and impressive. I mean, 20 million yen? They could’ve bought votes and had change for a nice vacation!
ほんとだよね！選挙活動より旅行したほうが絶対楽しいと思う。(笑)
Haha, totally! So, what happens if the ruling party doesn’t get enough seats tonight? Will there be a dramatic power shift?
まあ、与党が過半数取れなかったら政権交代の可能性もあるけど、正直、野党はあんまりまとまってないんだよね。
Ah, I read about that! They only managed a “one-on-one” candidate battle in 47 districts? That’s... like, Japan’s version of a friendly soccer match.
そんな感じ！お互い攻める気はあるけど、どこかゆるいんだよね。でも、立憲民主党とかが議席を伸ばしたら、今後の政治に影響はあるかな。
Sounds like it could get spicy! And what’s this about changing the district seats—10 up, 10 down? That’s like reshuffling the pieces mid-game!
そうなの。今回は「10増10減」で行われる初めての選挙だから、候補者たちは対応が大変だったみたい。
Wow, and I thought our elections in the U.S. were chaotic. So, when will you know the results?
今夜の深夜には大勢が判明する予定。だから、みんな夜遅くまで結果を待つんだ。
Midnight? What, do you guys throw election parties? Watching the numbers roll in with snacks and drinks?
まあ、そんな雰囲気の人もいるかもね。友達同士で「誰が勝つかな？」って予想して盛り上がるのは楽しいよ。
Haha, I love it! In the U.S., we get nervous watching election night, but in Japan, it sounds more like a chill hangout with bets on politicians!
そうだね。でも今回の選挙、政権の命運がかかってるから、あまりに盛り上がりすぎたら怒られちゃうかも。(笑)
Haha, fair enough. So, Kasumi, if you were running, how would you spend your campaign budget? Please tell me you'd buy something cooler than bribes.
うーん…私は、みんなにタピオカミルクティーを配って、若者の支持を集めるかな！(笑)
Genius! You’d have my vote. “A tapioca for every voter!” Now that is democracy in action!
(笑) ありがとう！でも、裏金の代わりにタピオカじゃ、選挙管理委員会に怒られそうだね。
Created by Hiroto T. Murakami.
