Voters Cast Judgment on Kishida Administration in By-Elections
On April 28, 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 damaging slush fund scandal involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The by-elections were held in the Shimane No. 1, Nagasaki No. 3, and Tokyo No. 15 districts, all previously held by the LDP. These elections were the first national polls since the LDP factions' involvement in the scandal came to light in late 2022.
Significant attention focused on the Shimane No. 1 district, where the LDP and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) engaged in a close race. The outcome of this election was expected to influence Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision on dissolving the Lower House for a snap election.
On the final day of campaigning, both Kishida and CDP leader Kenta Izumi visited Shimane to support their respective candidates. Kishida urged voters to help the LDP achieve a "major upset win" and emphasized the importance of victory for LDP reform efforts. Izumi, on the other hand, highlighted growing dissatisfaction with LDP-led politics and called for change through political reforms.
In the Tokyo No. 15 and Nagasaki No. 3 districts, the LDP did not field candidates. In Tokyo, nine candidates competed for the seat vacated by Mito Kakizawa, while two candidates from the CDP and Nippon Ishin parties contested the Nagasaki seat.
The results of these by-elections will provide valuable insights into public opinion on the LDP's handling of the slush fund scandal and potentially influence the political landscape in the lead-up to the next general election.