Japan Opposition Hits Postwar Low: Centrist Reform Alliance Secures Just 49 Seats

• Japan's Centrist Reform Alliance secured only 49 seats in the recent House of Representatives election, marking the lowest total for a main opposition party in the postwar era.
• Formed in January, the alliance's poor performance leaves it unable to introduce budget-related bills or move a no-confidence resolution.
• The alliance's seat tally sharply fell from 167 previously, despite securing nearly half as many votes as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
• The LDP, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, increased its seats from 198 to 316.
• Opposition parties now collectively hold 109 seats in the 465-member lower house, highlighting a significant imbalance.