ニュース 2012/12/26 Akamatsu appointed as Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives On December 26 during a special Diet session, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe was elected as the 96th Prime Minister of Japan. DPJ President Banri Kaieda finished in second place in both houses. The main results of the election were as follows: House of Representatives (Total: 478 ballots) Shinzo Abe - 328; Banri Kaieda - 57; Shintaro Ishihara - 54 House of Councillors (Total: 234 ballots) First Vote Shinzo Abe - 107; Banri Kaieda - 87 Second Vote (Final Vote) Shinzo Abe - 107; Banri Kaieda - 96 Following their respective acquisition of 475 ballots, LDP Diet member Bunmei Ibuki was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives and DPJ Diet member Hirotaka Akamatsu as Vice Speaker. During his inauguration, Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives Akamatsu promised that “With a strong sense of justice, purpose and professionalism, Speaker Ibuki and I will make every effort to steer the Diet in a positive direction.” As is customary, the Speaker and Vice Speaker parliamentary group will act as an independent body during their term.