The 1986 General Elections

On July 6, 1986, the Liberal Democratic party (LDP) scored the greatest electoral victory in its history. By winning 300 seats it surpassed its previous high point of 296 seats in 1960. Its 72 seats in the House of Councillors also represent an LDP record; moreover, when these newly elected LDP councillors are joined with those not up for election in 1986, the total of 142 becomes a record for the party as well. Two parties maintained their strength in the election. The Koeito won 56 seats, and the Japan Communist party (JCP) won 26 seats. The first total represents the loss of only 2 seats for the Clean Government party; the second matches the JCP seat total from 1983. Twenty-one “mini-parties” ran candidates in the proportional representation constituency of the House of Councillors. Three of these parties won seats: the New Salaryman party, the Niin Club, and the Tax Reduction party.