I tried asking the BYJW last night, but I didn't really understand the
answer, so let's try in English:

I noticed that within half an hour of the polls closing there seemed
to be results from single-seat constituencies coming in. How do they
get them done so fast, considering they have to read each voting slip
to check the name, versus just an X in the right box in other
countries.

Similarly the PR seats also came in pretty fast - is it once they
have, say, 5% for one party in a 20-seat area, they announce a winner?

Oh, and the opening graphics on --- err, I forgot which channel -- for
their results coverage was entertaining - the candidates, 3-D animated
bobble-headed images, were shown going across that big long
level-crossing in Tokyo, and as the crossing timer counted down, and
the train approached, they started sprinting for the closing gate, but
which would get splattered by the yoron tokkyu?

Ken