Japan 2009 is GO!

[Harry Hayfield]

According to the BBC, Parliament will be dissolved on July 21st (the day before a partial solar eclipse over Japan) with the election held on August 30th (the day before my birthday!!)

Japan 2005
Liberal Democrats 219 constituencies + 77 regionals = 296 seats
Democratic Party 52 constituencies + 61 regionals = 113 seats
New Komeito Party 8 constituencies + 23 regionals = 31 seats
Communists 0 constituencies + 9 regionals = 9 seats
Social Democrats 1 constituency + 6 regionals = 7 seats
People's New Party 2 constituencies + 2 regionals = 4 seats
Regional New Party 0 constituencies + 2 regionals = 2 seats
Independents and Others 18 constituencies + 0 regionals = 18 seats
Liberal Democrat overall majority of 112

[Harry Hayfield]

Fun Competition for Japan 2009

Guess the winning vote share margin (as published on NHK World) and gap between largest party and major opposition. Winner will be able to say "I got Japan 2009 spot on"

[Harry Hayfield]

NHK World TV (Sky Channel 516) has the following election schedule for Sunday

NB: JST = BST +9, EDT +14, PDT + 17

12.00am JST Newsline (and every hour)
7.45pm Newsline Election Special
8.00pm Polls Close

[Harry Hayfield]

Polls have just opened (2300 BST / 2200 GMT / 1800 EDT / 1500 PDT)

[Harry Hayfield]

6.00pm update:

48.40% (+1.60% on 2005)

[Harry Hayfield]

NHK World Exit Poll: DPJ 298 - 329 LDP 84 - 131

[Harry Hayfield]

Breaking News: Aso to stand down as PM and LDP president

[Harry Hayfield]

Current Seat Tallies (2014 JST)

LDP Coalition
LDP 41
New Komeito 9

DPJ Coalition
DPJ 170
Communist 2
People' New Party 1
Others 3