Japan Holds The Upper House Election

The Upper House Election of Japan was held in 53,291 polls on Sunday.

The election, which elected half of the 242 House seats, was carefully watched since it is an opportunity to evaluate Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s three years in office. The term of office of House of Representatives is six years, and an election is held every three years to elect half of the members.

The ruling and opposition parties had heated debates over hot issues including the enforcement of a new national pension act by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Self-Defense Forces’ participation in the Multinational Force in Iraq.

The LDP is aiming at keeping its current seat total of 51 while the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) set its goal at 50 seats from its current 38, and was encouraged by an increase in its approval rating.

If the coalition ruling parties of the LDP and the Buddhist-backed New Komeito Party win more than 51 seats, the prime minister will get a boost in his economic reform policies and negotiations with North Korea to normalize diplomatic relations. If the parties lose, however, he will face pressure to step down, the Japanese press reported. The coalition parties can hold their majority if they secure 43 seats in this election.

The LDP and DPJ were in close races in 27 single-member districts, which are likely to determine the ultimate winner of the election, Kyodo News reported.

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com