JAPANESE ELECTIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 22

JAPANESE ELECTIONS

CABINET’S CRUSHING DEFEAT. TOKIO, May 12. The latest returns show that the Kenseikai Party has 142 seats, Seiyukai 89, Seiyo Honto 102, Kakushin 29, the Independents 63, and there remain 39 seats yet uncertain, but it is believed that the Kenseikai Party will win the greater number of these, and the Government Parties are certain to have an overwhelming majority. This is the most crushing defeat received by any Cabinet during the past quarter of a century. FINAL RETURNS. TOKIO, May 13. The final returns (with the exception of two seats in northern Kokaido. where balloting was postponed for a week owing to a hurricane) show that the combined Opposition to the Government have 277 seats. The official figures are :

KIYOURA GOVERNMENT. TOKIO, May 13. The exact fate of the Kiyoura Ministry will not be definitely known for approximately a month. The Cabinet, after continuous meetings, has decided to reserve its decision until after the State celebrations, to he held early in June, of Prince Hirohito’s wedding.

It is understood that, despite Mr Mizuno’s hopes to command the necessary majority for a Government, Viscount Kiyoura has determined to resign shortly after the opening of the Diet, the extraordinary session date of which has been changed to June 25.

Kenseikai . ... 146 JSeiyakai ... 101 Seiyo-hunto ... ... 120 Kakusliin . ... 29 Independents .. . ... 63