As to this election

I think many non-Japanese people don't know how we elect prime minister. I write about it here. Basically, it is not popular election system. Diet members elect a next prime minister.



We have a bicameral system in Japan. We have "House of Representatives(lower house)" and "House of Councilors(Upper house)". Both congresses elect a candidate each. In the case of both congresses elected same candidate, the candidate become the prime minister. In the case of that they don't elect a same candidate, we hold a joint committee of both Houses. In the case of that the committee can't arrived at a decision, the candidate who was elected by lower house become the prime minister. Finally our emperor formally assign the candidate.



Now non-Japanese medias is reporting about election for party president　of Liberal Democratic Party(LDP). LDP is the majority of lower house. Traditionally, the president of LDP becomes a candidate of prime minister. So, the election for party president is a virtual election of prime minister.



Whoever become the prime minister, Japan's course will not change drastically. It seems Mr. Fukuda is a major candidate now. His father was a prime minister. I know nothing about Fukuda's policy.



Now, 480 seats are in lower house.



Ruling parties: 68.125% of 480 seats

LDP: 296 seats

Komeito: 31 seats



Opposition parties (including unaffiliated lawmakers etc)

DPJ: 113 seats

Communists: 9 seats

Socialists: 7 seats

Other parties: 5 seats



Unaffiliated lawmakers etc: 19 seats

as of latest election for lower house, in 2005.



Now, 242 seats are in upper house.



Ruling parties: 105 seats in total

LDP :83 seats

Komeito :20 seats



Opposition parties: 137 seats in total (including unaffiliated lawmakers etc)

DPJ: 109 seats

communists: 7 seats

Socialists: 5 seats

Other patries: 5 seats



Unaffiliated lawmakers etc: 13 seats

as of latest election for upper house, in 2007