Japan's Ruling Party Suffers Major Setback in By-Elections
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), faced a significant setback in Sunday's parliamentary by-elections, losing all three contested seats. This outcome is widely seen as a consequence of the extensive slush funds scandal that has plagued the party for over a year, eroding public trust and undermining Kishida's leadership.
The LDP's losses were particularly pronounced in the Shimane prefecture, traditionally considered a conservative stronghold. This defeat could significantly weaken Kishida's position within the party, potentially leading to internal challenges and jeopardizing his chances of running for another term as party president in September.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) emerged victorious in all three contested seats, highlighting public dissatisfaction with the LDP's handling of the corruption scandal. CDPJ leader Kenta Izumi emphasized the importance of political reform and expressed his intention to push for early national elections if the LDP fails to take decisive action.
The slush funds scandal, involving unreported political funds raised through party events, has led to the indictment of ten individuals, including lawmakers and their aides. Over 80 LDP lawmakers have acknowledged not reporting funds, potentially violating the Political Funds Control Law. These funds are alleged to have been channeled into unmonitored slush funds.
Kishida has faced plummeting support ratings since the scandal's eruption, despite his efforts to address the issue through Cabinet reshuffles, internal investigations, and drafting reform measures. However, public trust remains low, with his government's approval rating hovering around 20%.
The LDP's decision not to field candidates in two of the contested districts reflects the party's awareness of its diminished support. Instead, they focused on defending the seat in Shimane, but ultimately failed to retain it.
CDPJ candidate Akiko Kamei's victory in Shimane sends a clear message to Kishida and the LDP. Kamei attributed her win to voters' anger over the slush funds scandal and the lack of improvement in daily lives.
The outcome of these by-elections underscores the public's dissatisfaction with the LDP's handling of the corruption scandal and their desire for political reform. It remains to be seen how Kishida will respond to this setback and whether he can regain the trust of the Japanese people.