Japan's main opposition leader hails 'great achievement' after gains in snap elections

The ruling coalition did not secure a majority in the Lower House. The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, made significant gains. A majority in the Lower House is 233 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, have secured 215 seats.

Japan's former prime minister and the leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) Yoshihiko Noda hailed "a great achievement" by his party as exit-poll projections suggest that the CDP has made considerable gains in the general election.