TOKYO: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is close to winning a majority of seats in the Oct. 31 election for the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of parliament, a JIJI Press survey showed.

The LDP is on track to win 233 seats in the 465-seat Lower House, though down from its pre-election strength of 276 seats.

Among the LDP’s 277 candidates running in single-seat constituencies, 110 candidates are likely to win and 71 others are leading rivals. For proportional representation, the party is expected to increase its seats from the pre-election level of 66.

Komeito, the LDP’s coalition partner that fielded candidates in nine constituencies, is expected to win at least four seats. Its number of proportional representation seats is likely to increase from the pre-election level of 21.

The LDP and Komeito could win as much as 261 seats together, a level that gives the coalition the chair’s post and a majority in all Lower House standing committees. Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s goal is for the two parties to win 233 seats together.

The major opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is expected to increase its seats from the pre-election level of 110.

At least 18 of the CDP’s 214 constituency candidates are likely to win. The party is also expected to win 40 to 50 proportional representation seats, down from the pre-election level of 62.

The Japanese Communist Party is expected to maintain its constituency seat in Okinawa Prefecture and increase its proportional representation seats from 11.

Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) is likely to win five constituency seats in Osaka Prefecture where it is based and increase its proportional representation seats sharply from eight.

The Democratic Party for the People is expected to win seats in four constituencies. Reiwa Shinsengumi and the Social Democratic Party are likely to win one seat each.

JIJI Press