Voters Weigh in on Kishida Administration in By-Elections
On April 28th, voters in Japan participated in three Lower House by-elections, marking the first opportunity to assess public sentiment towards the Kishida administration's handling of a recent political scandal involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). These elections were held to fill vacant seats in the Shimane No. 1, Nagasaki No. 3, and Tokyo No. 15 districts, all previously held by the LDP.
The Shimane No. 1 district, encompassing the prefectural capital of Matsue, witnessed a close contest between the LDP and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP). This race garnered significant attention as its outcome could influence Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to dissolve the Lower House for a snap election.
Both Prime Minister Kishida and CDP leader Kenta Izumi visited Shimane on the final day of campaigning to rally support for their respective candidates. Kishida emphasized the need for LDP reform and urged voters to help his party achieve an "upset win." Izumi, on the other hand, highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the LDP's leadership and called for political reform.
In the Tokyo No. 15 district, covering Koto Ward, nine candidates competed for the seat vacated by Mito Kakizawa, a former LDP member convicted of violating the Public Offices Election Law. The CDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) each fielded candidates, while the Democratic Party of Japan endorsed an independent candidate supported by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.
The Nagasaki No. 3 district by-election, encompassing Sasebo, resulted from the resignation of Yaichi Tanigawa following his involvement in the Abe faction's slush fund case. Two candidates from the CDP and Nippon Ishin parties contested the vacant seat.
The outcomes of these by-elections are expected to provide valuable insights into public opinion regarding the LDP's handling of the recent scandal and potentially influence the Kishida administration's future political strategies.