Japan Decides 2024

This edited volume is the fifth in theJapan Decidesseries and the premier venue for scholarly research on the 2024 general election for theJapaneseHouse of Representatives.The 2024 election was historic, with Japan's long-ruling LDP sufferingitssecond worst showing at the ballot box since it was founded.Thevolume features a broad range of scholarship from top researchers in Japan, the United States,and Europe. After an introduction that sets the stage, the second section analyzes political parties,includingthe LDP, CDP, Komeito, and Ishin. The third section explores the campaign, and features chapters on the policy positions of candidates, social media, public opinion, party manifestos, and turnout. Thefourth section analyzes the major policy issues surrounding the election, including the Unification Church and money scandals, women's representation, LGBTQ+ rights, childcare, macroeconomics and inflation, and Japan's role in the global economy. The conclusion synthesizes the original research in the volume's chapters to provide a coherent overall explanation for understanding the election in both historical and comparative perspective.