JAPAN: parliamentary elections Sangiin, 1989

JAPAN
Parliamentary Chamber: Sangiin

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1989

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Chamber:

Sangiin

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

23 July 1989

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for one-half (126) of the seats in the House of Councilors on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.

Background and outcome of elections:

In the 1989 general election for the House of Councillors, there was a total of 670 candidates – 385 from 40 parties under the proportional representative system and 285 candidates in the local electoral districts – an unprecedented number in polling for Councillors.
The central issues debated during the 18-day campaign were a new consumption tax, the Recruit financial scandal and the liberalization of agricultural products. Election results ushered in a new phase in Japanese politics: the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), suffered its worst setback at the polls since its founding in 1955, while the Socialist Party of Japan (JSP), led by Mrs. Takako Doi, took an enormous leap forward. Consequently, the opposition parties together occupied more Councillors’ seats than the ruling LDP. In particular, the JSP for the first time exceeded the LDP in the percentage of the votes cast under the proportional representation system. Altogether, 146 women candidates ran in the election, of whom 22 were successful, both of these numbers being records.
Given the overall polling results, Prime Minister Sosuke Uno resigned to take responsibility for the LDP defeat and in his place Mr. Toshiki Kaifu, also from LDP but a member of the House of Representatives, took office on 9 August 1989.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (23 July 1989): Elections results

Number of registered electors 89,891,358

Voters local seats 58,446,365 (65%)

Voters proportional seats 58,434,062 (65%)

Valid votes local seats 56,899,634

Valid votes proportional seats 56,171,328

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total Seats won in 1989 Proportional Local district Gain/Loss

Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) 109 36 15 21 -33

Socialist Party of Japan (JSP) 66 46 20 26 +24

Komeito (Clean Government Party) 20 10 6 4 -2

Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 14 5 4 1 -3

Japan Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) 8 3 2 1 -3

Other parties* 22 16 3 13 +12

Independents 13 10 - 10 +5

Comments:

* Including the newly formed Rengo no Kai group, which won 11 local district seats.

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 219

Women: 33

Distribution of seats according to age:

30-39 years 4

40-49 years 27

50-59 years 87

60-69 years 95

70 years and over 39

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Clerks or directors of associations or organizations 56

Local assemblymen 48

Public officials 40

Education 21

Lawyers 17

Journalists 13

Governors 13

Clerks or directors of corporations 10

Arts, culture 10

Secretaries to Diet Members 8

Doctors, pharmacists 6

Clergy 5

Others 5

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for JAPAN <<<

Chamber:
	Sangiin
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	23 July 1989
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for one-half (126) of the seats in the House of Councilors on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	In the 1989 general election for the House of Councillors, there was a total of 670 candidates – 385 from 40 parties under the proportional representative system and 285 candidates in the local electoral districts – an unprecedented number in polling for Councillors. The central issues debated during the 18-day campaign were a new consumption tax, the Recruit financial scandal and the liberalization of agricultural products. Election results ushered in a new phase in Japanese politics: the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), suffered its worst setback at the polls since its founding in 1955, while the Socialist Party of Japan (JSP), led by Mrs. Takako Doi, took an enormous leap forward. Consequently, the opposition parties together occupied more Councillors’ seats than the ruling LDP. In particular, the JSP for the first time exceeded the LDP in the percentage of the votes cast under the proportional representation system. Altogether, 146 women candidates ran in the election, of whom 22 were successful, both of these numbers being records. Given the overall polling results, Prime Minister Sosuke Uno resigned to take responsibility for the LDP defeat and in his place Mr. Toshiki Kaifu, also from LDP but a member of the House of Representatives, took office on 9 August 1989.

Round no 1 (23 July 1989): Elections results
Number of registered electors	89,891,358
Voters local seats	58,446,365 (65%)
Voters proportional seats	58,434,062 (65%)
Valid votes local seats	56,899,634
Valid votes proportional seats	56,171,328

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Seats won in 1989	Proportional	Local district	Gain/Loss
Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP)	109	36	15	21	-33
Socialist Party of Japan (JSP)	66	46	20	26	+24
Komeito (Clean Government Party)	20	10	6	4	-2
Japanese Communist Party (JCP)	14	5	4	1	-3
Japan Democratic Socialist Party (DSP)	8	3	2	1	-3
Other parties*	22	16	3	13	+12
Independents	13	10	-	10	+5

Comments:
	* Including the newly formed Rengo no Kai group, which won 11 local district seats.

Distribution of seats according to age:
30-39 years	4
40-49 years	27
50-59 years	87
60-69 years	95
70 years and over	39
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Clerks or directors of associations or organizations	56
Local assemblymen	48
Public officials	40
Education	21
Lawyers	17
Journalists	13
Governors	13
Clerks or directors of corporations	10
Arts, culture	10
Secretaries to Diet Members	8
Doctors, pharmacists	6
Clergy	5
Others	5