1996 Japanese General Election

20 October 1996 · Reform, upheaval and alternation · 500 seats, 251 for a majority

These were the first elections held after the 1994 electoral reforms. Previously, each district was represented by multiple members, sometimes from the same party, causing intra-party competition.

Prime Minister before

Ryutaro Hashimoto

LDP

Prime Minister (continued)

Ryutaro Hashimoto

LDP

Largest force

LDP

239 of 500 seats

Turnout

59.6%

The result

LDP
Ryutaro Hashimoto · +16 seats
239
seats
New Frontier
Ichirō Ozawa · -4 seats
156
seats
Democratic
52
seats
JCP
Tetsuzo Fuwa · +11 seats
26
seats
Social Democratic
Takako Doi · -55 seats
15
seats
NP-Sakigake
Shōichi Ide · -11 seats
2
seats

10 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.