Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently delivered a campaign speech in Matsue to support the Liberal Democratic Party's candidate in the Shimane No. 1 district. Despite Kishida's efforts to drum up support for the party's candidate, the by-election results in Shimane Prefecture signaled a significant blow to the LDP, as the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan emerged victorious in a long-standing LDP stronghold.
The LDP suffered losses in two other by-elections, the Tokyo No. 15 district, and the Nagasaki No. 3 district, where they did not field candidates, resulting in default wins for the opposing parties. The defeats in these elections, all previously held by LDP lawmakers, raised concerns about Kishida's leadership and the party's strategy to maintain power. Moreover, the political fund scandal that plagued some LDP factions became a focal point of criticism from both the public and within the party, leading to calls for more transparency and accountability within the LDP's ranks.
In response to the by-election losses and the scandal, the LDP proposed revisions to the Political Fund Control Law to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, these proposals may face scrutiny from opposition parties, who could take a more confrontational stance on the issue following the election results. As Kishida prepares for a potential re-election bid as LDP president in September, questions remain about his ability to lead the party effectively amidst growing unease among party members about his leadership prowess and the recent electoral setbacks.