補欠選挙

• Reading: ほけつせんきょ
• Romaji: hoketsusenkyo
• Kanji breakdown: 補 (ho/fu) — supplement, fill; 欠 (ketsu/ka) — lacking, vacancy; 選 (sen) — choose, select; 挙 (kyo/a) — raise, hold (an event)
• Pronunciation: /ho.ke.tsɯ.seɴ.kʲo/

Meaning

By-election; special election. An election held to fill a vacancy in a legislative seat caused by the death, resignation, or disqualification of the incumbent.

Commonly abbreviated in conversation and media to 補選 (hosen). In Japan, 補欠選挙 are held for both the House of Representatives and House of Councillors. They are closely watched as barometers of public opinion between general elections, often testing the popularity of the ruling party. The outcome of 補選 can influence intra-party dynamics and the timing of future general elections.

Examples

1. 議員の辞職に伴い、来月補欠選挙が実施されることが正式に決まった。 Following the legislator's resignation, it was officially decided that a by-election will be held next month.
2. 与党はこの補欠選挙で議席を失い、内閣の求心力低下が避けられない情勢だ。 The ruling party lost the seat in this by-election, making a decline in the cabinet's centripetal force unavoidable.
3. 補欠選挙は一般的に投票率が低いため、組織票を持つ候補者が有利とされる。 By-elections generally have low voter turnout, which tends to favor candidates with organized voting blocs.

Usage Guide

Context: elections, parliament, politics, journalism

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Formed from 補欠 (hoketsu, substitute/fill-in — from 補 supplement + 欠 vacancy/absence) and 選挙 (senkyo, election — from 選 choose + 挙 raise/hold). The term reflects the function of filling an empty seat rather than holding a scheduled general election.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war–Contemporary

Generation: Adults

Social background: General