Japanese general election, 1942

Japanese general election, 1942

1937 ← 30 April 1942 → 1946

All 466 seats to the House of Representatives of Japan 234 seats needed for a majority   First party   Leader Hideki Tōjō Party Taisei Yokusankai Last election — Seats won 381 Seat change +381 Popular vote 14,594,287 Percentage 83.16%

Prime Minister before election Hideki Tōjō Taisei Yokusankai Prime Minister-designate Hideki Tōjō Taisei Yokusankai

Japan

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The 21st General Election of Japan of the House of Representatives took place in Japan on April 30, 1942. It was the only election in wartime Japan. At this time, the lower house no longer had any significant executive and legislative power, and power went to the military since 1936. The prime minister was not elected from the lower house since 1932, and was also appointed by the military.

Overview

In 1940, all political parties were forced to merge into the Taisei Yokusankai, a pro-military political organization headed by former prime minister Nobuyuki Abe. The likewise fascist Touhou Party broke away from the Taisei Yokusankai and turned against prime minister Hideki Tōjō. Among those running against the Taisei Yokunsakai, only the Touhou Party was allowed to run in the election as non-partisans. Among those anti-war and neutral politicians, the comparatively mild politicians successfully ran as non-partisans too. Some of those "independents" who failed to gain a seat were expelled. Those "independents" and expelled politicians were mainly the ruling class after the war. As communist groups, left-wing groups, and anti-war groups were illegal since 1940, they were unable to name a candidate in the election. Communists, left-wing politicians and radical anti-military politicians were arrested and not even allowed to run as independents. Besides, anti-war politician Saito Takao(斎藤隆夫) who was expelled from the diet in 1941 was re-elected again.

The Tojo Cabinet marked those independent congressmen elected who were not Taisei Yokusankai members as "Non-Taisei Yokusankai" in the official result.

The turnout of the election was strangely high, with a turnout of 83.16%. Suffrage had not yet been extended to women in Japan at this time, and many citizens were forced to vote.^{[citation needed]}

Results

The Taisei Yokusankai won 381 seats out of the total 466. In some districts, the Taisei Yokusankai candidates won uncontested. However, while the Imperial Army had gained a victory in almost every battle as of the election, public support for the war was still quite high, which was the main reason for the landslide victory of the Taisei Yokusankai. Turnout in the election was 83.16%.

Party	Total
Taisei Yokusankai	381
"Non-Taisei Yokusankai"	85