1. Electoral Structure: Japan follows a parliamentary constitutional monarchy system. The country is divided into 47 prefectures, and elections are held at the national level to elect representatives to the National Diet.
2. National Diet: The National Diet is the bicameral legislature of Japan. It consists of two houses – the House of Representatives (Shugiin) and the House of Councillors (Sangiin).
3. House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is the lower house of the National Diet. It has 465 members, known as Representatives, who are elected through a mixed-member proportional representation system. 289 Representatives are elected in single-member constituencies using a plurality voting system, and 176 Representatives are elected through a proportional representation system based on party lists.
4. House of Councillors: The House of Councillors is the upper house of the National Diet. It has 245 members, known as Councillors. Councillors are elected through a combination of regional and national proportional representation. The number of Councillors elected from each prefecture varies based on population size.
5. Voting System: Japan has a mixed-member proportional representation system. Voters cast two votes – one for a candidate in their constituency for the single-member district, and another for a political party to determine the proportional representation seats.
6. Election Timing: The Prime Minister of Japan has the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives and call for new elections. The regular term for the House of Representatives is four years, but elections can be held earlier if the government loses a vote of confidence or if the Prime Minister decides to dissolve the House of Representatives.
7. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications oversees the electoral process in Japan. It is responsible for voter registration, candidate nominations, and the administration of elections.
8. Voter Eligibility: To be eligible to vote in national elections in Japan, a person must be a Japanese citizen and at least 18 years old on the day of the election. Voters must be registered on the electoral roll.
