The fate of the opposition bloc hinges on the outcome of the 213 constituencies in which five parties -- the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Communist Party, Democratic Party for the People, Reiwa Shinsengumi and Social Democratic Party -- banded together to field a unified candidate.
"As long as the election revolves around a single-seat constituency system, it is best for us, as the opposition, to create a structure in which we can take on the LDP one-on-one," CDPJ leader Yukio Edano said in an interview with NHK on Sunday night as early returns were coming in.
"As a result, we were able to have close races in many constituencies. [The strategy] has had a certain effect."
Edano said he was bolstered by the fact that many constituencies evolved into tight races. "Even in some that I thought would be difficult [to win], we've turned them into close contests," Edano said. "Can we come away with the wins? I'm watching closely with high expectations."
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