The general election to be held in June will provide an opportunity for the rejuvenation of the Lower House. About 30 Lower House members have already announced -- or are moving to announce before the election -- their retirement from politics. They cite old age, illness and family reasons for retiring.
Some elderly politicians who decide to run could lose their seats to younger rivals. Ultimately, young lawmakers could replace older politicians in about 40 seats.
Many lawmakers are retiring because the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has established a compulsory retirement age of 73 for legislators elected on the basis of proportional representation in response to mounting public criticism of the dominance of older politicians.