The Japanese general election dominated the day's news. Voting began in the morning, with early reports indicating lower turnout compared to the previous election. By evening, exit polls suggested a significant shift in the political landscape. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito were projected to lose their majority in the lower house. The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party made substantial gains. Throughout the night, reports confirmed the trend, with several LDP heavyweights losing their seats. Prime Minister Ishibashi acknowledged the "extremely severe situation" but avoided discussing his responsibility. The election results indicate a potential reshaping of Japanese politics, with the LDP exploring coalition options with other parties to maintain power.