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
| Share of the House | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDP | Ryutaro Hashimoto | 239 | +16 | — | — | — | |
| New Frontier | Ichirō Ozawa | 156 | -4 | — | — | — | |
| Democratic | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | |
| JCP | Tetsuzo Fuwa | 26 | +11 | — | — | — | |
| Social Democratic | Takako Doi | 15 | -55 | — | — | — | |
| NP-Sakigake | Shōichi Ide | 2 | -11 | — | — | — |
10 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.