Note: In the results above, the seats listed are the total number of seats won in the election. The vote counts and percentages represent the Prefectural District vote.

At stake in this election:

• 121 seats in the House of Councillors (Sangi-in)

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: Emperor AKIHITO
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Yasuo FUKADA
• Assembly: Japan has a bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consisting of the House of Councillors (Sangi-in) with 242 seats and the House of Representatives (Shugi-in) with 480 seats.

Description of electoral system:

• The Emperor is N/A N/A.
• In the House of Councillors (Sangi-in), 98 members are elected by proportional representation to serve 6-year terms and 144 members are elected in multi-member constituencies to serve 6-year terms. In the House of Representatives (Shugi-in), 300 members are elected in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms and 180 members are elected by proportional representation to serve 4-year terms.

Main parties in the electoral race:

• Party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
  • Leader: Shinzo ABE
  • Seats won in this House of Councillors election: 60
  • Seats won in last House of Councillors election: 49
• Party: Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)
  • Leader: Ichiro OZAWA
  • Seats won in this House of Councillors election: 37
  • Seats won in last House of Councillors election: 50
• Party: New Komeito Party (NKP)
  • Leader: Akihoro OTA
  • Seats won in this House of Councillors election: 9
  • Seats won in last House of Councillors election: 11
• Party: Japan Communist Party (JCP)
  • Leader: Kazuo SHII
  • Seats won in this House of Councillors election: 3
  • Seats won in last House of Councillors election: 4
• Party: Social Democratic Party (SDP)
  • Leader: Mizuho FUKUSHIMA
  • Seats won in this House of Councillors election: 2
  • Seats won in last House of Councillors election: 2

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 128,001,000 (2007)
• Registered Voters: 103,356,879 (2005)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 65,593,520 (2007)

·         Is Japan a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)

·         Has Japan ratified CEDAW: Yes (25 June 1985)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes 

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 34 (House of Representatives); 26 (House of Councillors)

·         Human Development Index Position: 20 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Japan a signatory to CRPD: Yes (28 September 2007)

·         Has Japan ratified CRPD: Yes (20 January 2014)

·         Population with a disability: 19,200,150 (est.)