1915 Japanese general election

General elections were held in Japan on 25 March 1915.[1] The Rikken Dōshikai party emerged as the largest party in the House of Representatives, winning 153 of the 381 seats.

25 March 1915
All 381 seats to the House of Representatives 191 seats were needed for a majority
Leader Kato Takaaki Hara Takashi Inukai Tsuyoshi Party Dōshikai Seiyūkai Kokumintō Last election  – 209 seats, 51.5% 95 seats, 28.5% Seats won 153 108 27 Seat change  – 101 68 Popular vote 523,228 446,934 106,445 Percentage 36.9% 31.5% 7.5% Swing  – 20.0% 21.0%
House of Representatives conformation
Prime Minister before election Ōkuma Shigenobu Dōshikai Subsequent Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu Dōshikai

Electoral system

The 381 members of the House of Representatives were elected in 51 multi-member constituencies based on prefectures and cities. Voting was restricted to men aged over 25 who paid at least 10 yen a year in direct taxation.[2]

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Rikken Dōshikai	523,228	36.9	153	New
Rikken Seiyūkai	446,934	31.5	108	–101
Rikken Kokumintō	106,445	7.5	27	–68
Chūseikai	101,970	7.2	33	New
Ōkuma Shigenobu supporters	55,684	3.9	12	New
Others	182,814	12.9	48	+2
Invalid/blank votes	7,570	–	–	–
Total	1,424,645	100	381	0
Registered voters/turnout	1,546,411		–	–
Source: Mackie & Rose, Voice Japan

References

1. Thomas T Mackie & Richard Rose (1991) The International Almanac of Electoral History, Macmillan, p281
2. Mackie & Rose, p276