The Japanese electoral system has been distinctive in its use of the single non-transferable vote (SNTV). Under SNTV three to five members were elected from each constituency based on a simple majority of votes. However, a series of corruption scandals damaged confidence in the political system, and undermined the one-party dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party. As a result, in March 1994 the national parlia ment (Diet) passed new measures transforming the electoral system into a mixed-member system, combining single-member districts and PR party lists. Campaign funding laws were also reformed. This article explores the politics behind these developments.
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