INI

Types of Elections in Japan - INI

Elections in Japan are broadly classified into national elections (House of Representatives general elections, House of Councillors regular elections) and local elections (prefectural governor and assembly member elections, municipal mayor and assembly member elections). Additionally, there are unified local elections held on scheduled dates and special elections such as by-elections when vacancies occur. These elections are conducted based on the Constitution of Japan and the Public Offices Election Law, serving as important institutions that guarantee citizens' right to participate in government.

elections national elections local elections House of Representatives House of Councillors electoral system politics democracy

[item.house-of-representatives]
code=01
slug=house-of-representatives
name=House of Representatives General Election
description=National election to elect members of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Japan's National Diet.
canBeDissolved=true
category=national
termYears=4
totalSeats=465

[item.house-of-councillors]
code=02
slug=house-of-councillors
name=House of Councillors Regular Election
description=National election to elect members of the House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan's National Diet.
canBeDissolved=false
category=national
termYears=6
totalSeats=248

[item.prefectural-governor]
code=03
slug=prefectural-governor
name=Prefectural Governor Election
description=Local election to elect the prefectural governor, the chief executive of a prefecture.
canBeDissolved=false
category=local
termYears=4
totalSeats=

[item.prefectural-assembly]
code=04
slug=prefectural-assembly
name=Prefectural Assembly Member Election
description=Local election to elect members of the prefectural assembly, the deliberative body of a prefecture.
canBeDissolved=true
category=local
termYears=4
totalSeats=

[item.municipal-mayor]
code=05
slug=municipal-mayor
name=Municipal Mayor Election
description=Local election to elect the municipal mayor, the chief executive of a city, ward, town, or village.
canBeDissolved=false
category=local
termYears=4
totalSeats=

[item.municipal-assembly]
code=06
slug=municipal-assembly
name=Municipal Assembly Member Election
description=Local election to elect members of the municipal assembly, the deliberative body of a city, ward, town, or village.
canBeDissolved=true
category=local
termYears=4
totalSeats=

[item.by-election]
code=07
slug=by-election
name=By-election
description=Special election held when a vacancy occurs in a parliamentary or assembly seat.
canBeDissolved=false
category=special
termYears=
totalSeats=

[item.re-election]
code=08
slug=re-election
name=Re-election
description=Special election held when an elected candidate dies or becomes ineligible before taking office.
canBeDissolved=false
category=special
termYears=
totalSeats=