House of Councillors - The Basic Numbers

Based on what seems to be a request from a commenter...

Number of seats, total: 242

Terms in office: 6 years, with half the seats up for election at staggered three year intervals

Total number of district seats: 146

Total number of party proportional seats: 96

Total seats currently occupied: 241 (one vacancy)

Total needed for a simple majority: 122

Current number of seats held by the DPJ+Shifuryokukai*+PNP+JNP** caucus: 122

Current make up of majority caucus: DPJ/Shinfuryokukai (116), PNP (5), JNP (1)

Number of seats up for election: DPJ/Shinfuryokukai (54), PNP (2), JNP (0)

Number of seats DPJ needs to win in order to have independent control of the House of Councillors: 60 ( 54+6 )

Number of seats up for election in single seat districts: 29

Number of seats up for election in two seat districts: 24

Number of seats up for election in three seat districts: 15

Number of seats up for election in a five seat district: 5

Number of seats up for election in the party proportional election: 48


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* Defunct organization.

** Though Hirayama Makoto caucuses with the majority in the name of the Japan New Party, the Japan New Party does not consider him a party member.