2025年参議院選挙の展望
Audio Japan, Learning Japan with you. This podcast delivers Japanese culture, trends, and niche topics in English.
I'm your host, Taiki. Thanks for tuning in again.
Did you know that August 20th is the founding anniversary of NHK?
On this day in 1926, the broadcasting stations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya marched to create the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, or NHK.
That means today marks the 99th anniversary, and next year will be the 100th anniversary, you might say.
So what? Well, fair enough. But I thought it was worth mentioning as a fun fact to start the day.
Now, let's move on to today's English article. The title is...
Japan's 2025 Upper House Vote, Opposition Gains, Ruling Bloc Loses Majority
Exactly one month ago, Japan held its House of Councillors election.
In this election, 125 seats were contested, 124 regular seats plus one additional seat to fill a vacancy in the Tokyo constituency.
The Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, won 39 seats, while its coalition partner Komeito gained 8.
For a total of 47 contested seats.
Even when combined with their 75 uncontested seats, the coalition only reached 122, falling short of the 125 needed for a majority.
野党の台頭
On the other hand, two opposition parties made notable gains.
The Democratic Party for the People, or DPP, increased its seats from 4 to 17, bringing its total to 22.
Meanwhile, Sunseto grew from just one seat to 14, giving the party 15 in total.
So today, we'll look at this Upper House election in English, using the details I just mentioned.
Let's dive into the article together.
Are you ready? Let's get started.
Japan's 2025 Upper House vote, Opposition Gains, Ruling Bloc Loses Majority
On July 20th, 2025, Japan held its latest House of Councillors election, an event that takes place every three years to renew half of the Chamber's 248 seats.
This year's election drew considerable public attention, as it was seen as a test of the ruling coalition's strength after recent political and economic challenges.
The ruling coalition, made up of the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP, and its longtime partner, Komeito, failed to secure a majority in the Upper House.
Even after combining both contested seats, those openly fought in the election, and uncontested seats, where candidates win automatically due to lack of challengers, the coalition fell short of the 125 seats needed for control.
In contrast, the opposition parties collectively gained 126 seats, giving them a numerical majority.
However, because these parties range from progressive to conservative in ideology, forming a unified voting bloc made proof difficult.
One of the most notable outcomes was the significant gains made by Sanseito, who was a referendum party, and the Democratic Party for the People, DPP.
Sanseito's rise was fuelled by a well-organised grassroots network and strategic use of social media to connect with local supporters.
The DPP, meanwhile, secured more than 21 seats, granting it the ability to submit budget proposals on its own, an important power in parliamentary negotiations.
A record 42 women were elected to the Upper House, marking the highest number in Japanese history.
女性の代表性と社会的動向
Still, women's representation stands at just 29.1%, below the government's 35% target.
In recent years, an increasing number of voters, especially younger generations, have turned to social media for political news.
While this trend allows faster access to diverse perspectives, it also raises concerns about filter bubbles, in which users see only information that confirms their existing beliefs.
Okay, today, let's take six words and sentences.
House of Councillors
By the way, let's remember two other words.
National Diet
This is a document consisting of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
In the article, it was used as follows.
On July 20th, 2025, Japan held its latest House of Councillors election.
As an example, the House of Councillors plays an important role in reviewing government policies.
Ruling Coalition
A group of political parties that together hold power and form the government.
In the article, it was used as follows.
与党連合の課題
The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito failed to secure a majority in the Upper House.
As an example, the ruling coalition announced new economic policies after the election.
Next, numerical
Related to numbers or expressed in terms of quantity rather than quality.
In the article, it was used as follows.
The opposition parties collectively gained 126 seats, giving them a numerical majority.
Or, as an example, the company showed numerical growth in sales but struggled with employee satisfaction.
Next, be fuelled
Be fuelled means to be driven, powered or strongly supported by something.
In the article, it was used as follows.
Sanseito's rise was fuelled by a well-organized grassroots network and strategic use of social media.
Or, as an example, A6's comeback in the running shoe market was fuelled by the success of the Meta Speed series.
Next, grant
Grant means to officially give someone a right, power or permission.
In the article, it was used as follows.
Winning more than 21 seats granted the DPP the ability to submit budget proposals on its own.
Or, as an example, in March 2025, Japanese regulators granted Nissan permission to conduct driverless van tests on public streets in Yokohama.
Last one, filter bubbles
Filter bubbles means an online situation where algorithms only show users information that matches their existing opinions, limiting exposure to diverse views.
In the article, it was used as follows.
Checking only social media also raises concerns about filter bubbles in which users see only information that confirms their existing beliefs.
Or, as an example, filter bubbles can prevent people from understanding different cultural or political perspectives.
OK, finally, let's review the expression and vocabulary we covered today.
House of Councillors
The upper house of Japan's national diet, similar to the Senate in some countries.
Ruling coalition
A group of political parties that together hold power and form the government.
Numerical
Related to numbers or expressed in terms of quantity rather than quality.
Be fuelled
To be driven, powered or strongly supported by something.
Grant
To officially give someone a right, power or permission.
Filter bubbles
An online situation where algorithms only show users information that matches their existing opinions.
Limiting exposure to diverse views.
参議院選挙の結果
In this upper house election, 125 seats were contested.
However, the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito failed to secure majority.
As a result, just like in the lower house, they are now a minority in the upper house as well.
It is said that this is the first time since the Liberal Democratic Party was founded in 1955 that the ruling bloc has fallen short of a majority in both chambers.
This raises an important question.
How will the LDP work with the Demographic Party for the People, led by Yuichiro Tamaki, in order to pass legislation?
Cooperation with Tamaki's party may be the key to moving forward.
However, during the election night coverage, Tamaki commented that he had no intention of cooperating with the LDP, a party that does not keep its promises.
If that is the case, it seems likely that budget negotiations will stall and the Diet may face political gridlock.
By the way, while preparing today's episode, I came across Tamaki's official YouTube channel.
I realized I should spend more time watching his speeches to better understand his perspective and input for future discussions.
Okay, I'll be posting two to three episodes a week.
Through this show, I hope we can share time that fulfills both your English learning and your curiosity.
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Thank you for listening all the way to the end.
This has been your host, Taiki.
See you next time!
