Coordinating nominations: how to deal with an incumbent surplus after electoral reform

Abstract How do parties and candidates react to electoral system reform? While the literature on causes consequences of reforms is receiving increasing attention, we lack a systematic micro-level account how adopt changes in rules district boundaries. This paper examines case Japanese Liberal Democrats explore party has managed accommodate surplus incumbents reduced number nominal tier seats following 1994 reform. By using data, I examine Democratic Party (LDP) matched based their expected strength ideological positioning new districts. Moreover, investigate newly instituted party-list allowed LDP avoid its disintegration at local level by systematically defusing stand-offs through handing out promising list positions. My findings help understand could continue dominate politics until today.