A Spotlight on Shimane
The first Diet elections since the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) political fund scandal came to light kicked off on April 16, 2023. The ruling party is already facing an uphill battle, with political reform taking center stage in campaign speeches for the Lower House by-elections in three districts.
The elections in Nagasaki and Tokyo were called to replace LDP lawmakers who resigned due to scandals. However, the party could not field its own candidates in these districts, effectively conceding defeat in two of the three by-elections. This puts the spotlight on the Shimane No. 1 district, where the LDP has fielded its lone candidate.
An LDP loss in Shimane would further hurt Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ability to manage his administration and could affect his strategy for the LDP presidential election in autumn. Both the LDP and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, have stressed the significance of these by-elections, particularly in terms of the public's perception of the LDP's stance on "politics and money."
The ruling coalition parties have begun discussions on strengthening the Political Fund Control Law to prevent further reporting irregularities in income and expenses among politicians. The by-elections will serve as a gauge of public acceptance of these revisions and the public's expectations from the parties.
A Battle for the LDP's Fate
The Shimane No. 1 district by-election is considered crucial for the LDP, with party officials calling it an election that will determine the party's fate. The LDP has fielded Norimasa Nishikori, a former head of the Finance Ministry's Chugoku Local Finance Bureau, who is backed by Komeito.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is backing Akiko Kamei, a former Lower House member. Both candidates are emphasizing the need for political reform, with Nishikori vowing to push the movement forward and Kamei calling for a major blow to the Kishida administration.
A Diverse Field of Candidates
The Tokyo No. 15 district by-election features a diverse field of candidates, including former Lower House member Tsukasa Akimoto, who is running as an independent despite a bribery conviction. The Conservative Party of Japan, a new political organization, has also fielded a candidate for the first time in a Diet election.
A Call for Change
The Nagasaki No. 3 district by-election pits former Lower House member Katsuhiko Yamada of the CDP against Shoichiro Inoue, who is backed by the opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai. Both candidates are calling for a change of government and political reform.
The outcome of these by-elections will have significant implications for the LDP and Japanese politics as a whole. The public's verdict on the party's handling of the political fund scandal and its commitment to reform will be closely watched.