The announcement of the House of Councillors election marks the official start of the campaign, the first since the Ishiba Cabinet’s formation.
On July 3, local time, the announcement for the Japanese House of Councillors election was issued, officially commencing the election campaign.
This is the first House of Councillors election since the Ishiba Cabinet’s formation. As scheduled, the vote counting will take place on the 20th.
The Japanese House of Councillors has 248 seats. Councillors serve six-year terms, with half the seats up for election every three years. This election will contest a total of 125 seats: 124 seats subject to regular renewal and one additional seat in the Tokyo electoral district.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party hold a combined 75 non-up-for-election seats in the House of Councillors. To secure a majority in the upper house, the ruling coalition needs to win at least 50 seats in this election.