In 2012, the Democratic Party government under Yoshihiko Noda decided to raise the Japanese consumption tax.

Abe proceeded to implement a series of economic programs known as "Abenomics" in a bid to stimulate the economy.

Abe called a snap election on November 18, in part for the purpose of winning LDP backing to postpone the hike and pursue the Abenomics package.

[4] (Source: NHK) The LDP lost a small number of seats but slightly enlarged its majority coalition with Komeito.

DPJ president Banri Kaieda lost his seat in Tokyo while the Japanese Communist Party doubled in strength.

[11] The most high-profile LDP candidate to lose re-election is Agriculture Minister Koya Nishikawa, who lost by 199 votes (0.2%) to former Governor of Tochigi Akio Fukuda.