Behind the crushing defeat of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party in the general election

On October 27, 2024, the results of Japan's 50th Lower House election shocked the entire international community. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered an unprecedented defeat in the election, failing to win more than half of the 465-seat lower house, or 233 seats. This result not only broke the LDP's long-standing dominance in power, but also triggered widespread concern and discussion.

The primary reason for the LDP's defeat in this election is undoubtedly the exposure of the "political black gold" scandal. This incident has not only seriously damaged the reputation of the Liberal Democratic Party, but also created a strong sense of distrust among voters. The LDP has long dominated Japanese politics, with its stable policies and broad popular base as the cornerstone of its rule. However, in recent years, with the continuous emergence of social and economic problems, voters' trust in the LDP has gradually declined. Especially after the "political black gold" incident was exposed, voters' disappointment and anger toward the Liberal Democratic Party reached a peak.

According to reports, the existence of factional political fund-raising party kickbacks within the Liberal Democratic Party, the scandal was exposed by the media, causing great discontent among the public. Voters widely believe that the LDP has strayed from its original purpose and become a byword for money politics. This sense of distrust was on full display in the elections, when large numbers of voters switched their support to the opposition, leading to a crushing electoral defeat for the LDP.

In addition to the political black money scandal, another important reason for the LDP's electoral defeat is the accumulation of socio-economic problems. In recent years, Japan has faced a series of social and economic problems such as aging and sluggish economic growth. Voters are increasingly expecting the government to address these issues effectively. However, the LDP failed to address these challenges effectively during its time in power, leading to doubts among voters about its ability to govern.

Especially against the backdrop of soaring prices, voter anger against the government has further intensified. Many voters say they have lost faith in the LDP because of rising daily spending. This sentiment was on full display in the election, when a large number of voters chose to support the opposition party to express their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the LDP.

The LDP's electoral debacle was also related to its flawed electoral strategy. Before the election, the LDP failed to fully assess the mood and needs of voters, resulting in a large gap between the election strategy and voter expectations. Especially in the election propaganda, the LDP failed to effectively convey its governing philosophy and policy propositions, which made voters lack of understanding and trust in it.

In addition, the LDP is facing internal conflicts and disunity in the election. The loss of some heavyweights and infighting among party factions cost the LDP many votes in the election. This internal instability and division further weakens the LDP's electoral competitiveness.

At the same time as the LDP's defeat, the opposition made significant gains in the election. The Constitutional Democratic Party, in particular, saw a substantial increase in its number of seats in the election. This result not only reflects voters' dissatisfaction and disappointment with the LDP, but also reflects voters' desire for change and a new governing philosophy.

The CDP has made many attractive policy propositions in the election, such as strengthening social security and promoting economic reform. These policy propositions are highly in line with the needs and expectations of voters, and the Constitutional Democratic Party has won a large number of votes in the election. In addition, the CDP has successfully attracted the support of a large number of young voters through effective election propaganda and mobilization.

Finally, changes in the international situation also had an impact on the LDP's performance in the elections. In recent years, the international situation has been turbulent and geopolitical risks have been on the rise. These changes have had an impact on Japan's economic and political stability, making voters expect and demand more from their governments.

It is worth mentioning that in the context of the depreciation of the yen and the deterioration of the international trade environment, voters have more questions and dissatisfaction with the government's economic and foreign policies. This dissatisfaction was fully reflected in the election, which caused the LDP to lose a lot of votes.