1917 Japanese general election

General elections were held in Japan on 20 April 1917.^[1] The Rikken Seiyūkai party led by Hara Takashi emerged as the largest party in the House of Representatives, winning 165 of the 381 seats.

1917 Japanese general election

← 1915 20 April 1917 1920 →
All 381 seats in the House of Representatives 191 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Hara Takashi Kato Takaaki Inukai Tsuyoshi Party Rikken Seiyūkai Kenseikai Rikken Kokumintō Last election 31.54%, 108 seats 51.63%, 213 seats[a] 7.51%, 27 seats Seats won 165 121 35 Seat change 57 92 7 Popular vote 504,720 467,518 125,974 Percentage 38.80% 35.94% 9.68% Swing 7.27pp 15.69pp 2.17pp
Prime Minister before election Terauchi Masatake Independent Prime Minister after election Terauchi Masatake Independent

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 Seiyūkai	504,720	38.80	165	+57
	Kenseikai	467,518	35.94	121	–92
	Rikken Kokumintō	125,974	9.68	35	+8
	Others	202,640	15.58	60	+12
Total		1,300,852	100.00	381	0
Valid votes		1,300,852	99.52
Invalid/blank votes		6,321	0.48
Total votes		1,307,173	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,422,126	91.92
Source: Mackie & Rose, Statistics Bureau of Japan

Notes

1. Rikken Dōshikai, Rikken Kokumintō and Chūseikai