General elections were held in Japan on 30 April 1937 to elect the 466 members of the House of Representatives, after the dissolution of Parliament on 31 March. Rikken Minseità  emerged as the largest party in Parliament, with 179 of the 466 seats. The election was a major success for Shakai Taishà «tà Â, which became the third-largest party in the Diet, the first socialist party to do so in Japanese history. In contrast, the mildly pro-military Rikken Minseità  lost several seats and fascist groups such as Tà Âhà Âkai remained minor forces in the House. Candidates supporting the ruling Hayashi administration were scarce, as his government only obtained endorsement from Shà Âwakai, Kokumin Dà Âmei and a coalition of small ultranationalist groups. Prime Minister Hayashi, in face of a hostile House of Representatives, was forced to resign soon after the election. Voter turnout was 73%.
In February 1937 General Senjà «rà  Hayashi was appointed prime minister. Just days after taking office and having the Diet enact a budget bill, he ordered a dissolution of the House of Representatives, hoping to weaken the major political parties. The act was opposed by the major political parties as well as by the general public, and quickly became known as the "". In turn, both Seiyà «kai and Minseità Â, along with the Socialists and the fascist group led by Nakano Seigà Â, compaigned against the government. The ministrial parties, namely Shà Âwakai (one of its leader joined the cabinet as an Independent) and Kokumin Dà Âmei, were ill-financed and not able to nominate enough candidates for majority. After Hayashi resigned, Saionji Kinmochi called Konoe Fumimaro to form a new cabinet. From then on, Saionji's influence would be gradually sidelined by Konoe.
In 1941 the Diet under the Konoe government passed a from four years to five. This allowed time to solidify the control of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association over Japanese politics. The Association effectively replaced all political parties in Japan and subsequently dominated the 1942 general election, although numerous factions developed within the Association's caucus in the House. The term extension was effectively repealed by the Constitution of Japan in 1947, which returned the representatives' term of office to 4 years.