By-elections for the Tokyo 15th, Shimane 1st, and Nagasaki 3rd wards of the House of Representatives were held on the 28th. In Shimane 1st Ward, the only contest between the ruling and opposition parties, a former member of the Constitutional Democratic Party was elected, and the Liberal Democratic Party suffered all defeats, including two “defeats.” Amid the headwinds blowing against the Liberal Democratic Party due to the slush party scandal involving factions and the issue of the former Unification Church, the harsh judgment of voters could have an impact on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s (party president) career.
◆Constitutional Democratic Party’s Natsumi Sakai elected for the first time in Tokyo’s crowded 15 wards
Natsumi Sakai (second from left) smiles after securing victory in the House of Representatives by-election; photographed by Naoko Yuki after 8 p.m. on the 28th.
In Tokyo’s 15th Ward, where there were no ruling party candidates and the contest was a crowded field of nine candidates, Constitutional Democratic Party newcomer Natsumi Sakai (37) defeated Hiromasa Ototake (48), an independent newcomer supported by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, and others. I was elected for the first time.
At his election office in Koto Ward, Mr. Sakai said, “Rather than politics driven by interests or money, we aim to create honest politics that responds to the voice of the people.” I hope that my appeal has been understood to a certain extent. I accept it as something.”
On the other hand, Ototake, whose election loss was certain, bowed his head at the election office in Koto Ward and said, “I feel responsible for this result. I am sorry.” Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who appeared on the streets many times during the campaign, was nowhere to be seen.
◆Genki Sudo, a former member of the House of Councilors, came in 2nd place, and Ototake came in 5th place.
◇Vote counting results for the Tokyo 15th Ward special election for the House of Representatives
49476 Natsumi Sakai Ritmin Arata
29669 Genki Sudo Independent New
28461 Yui Kanazawa Ishin Shin
24264 Yo Iiyama Various Schools New
19655 Hiromasa Ototake Independent New
8639 Rina Yoshikawa Sansei New
8061 Tsukasa Akimoto Independent Former
1410 Katsuya Fukunaga Various Schools New
1110 Ryosuke Nemoto Various Schools New
◆Akiko Kamei, Shimane 1st Ward: “There were many earnest votes.”
In Shimane 1st Ward, the only district where the ruling and opposition parties competed head-to-head, Akiko Kamei (58), a former member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, secured her second term.
Mr. Kamei said, “This time, there were certainly voices calling for the Liberal Democratic Party to put moxibustion on the table,” but added, “On the other hand, there were also many earnest votes asking for them to really do something about it.” That’s what I felt as I campaigned. ” he said, looking back on the election campaign.
◆Katsuhiko Yamada, Nagasaki 3rd ward: “The Liberal Democratic Party will make a difference by carrying out true political reform.”
The ruling party also refrained from fielding candidates in Nagasaki’s third ward. Katsuhiko Yamada (44), a former member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, won a head-to-head battle between the opposition parties and secured his second term.
Mr. Yamada returned the seat he won in the previous House of Representatives election through proportional representation and entered the by-election this time. “I believe that the (Liberal Democratic Party’s) punishment for the slush funds scandal should not be determined by elections, but by returning to the Diet and implementing true political reform.”
◆Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Mogi: “We take criticism of the party seriously.”
On the night of the 28th, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Mogi spoke to reporters at the party’s headquarters after it became clear that the official candidate would lose the election in Shimane 1st Ward. “We have to take seriously the various criticisms against the Liberal Democratic Party,” he said with a slump, keeping in mind the slush fund incident from a faction’s political party.
In order to restore confidence in the party in the future, he prefaced this by saying, “I think it will take some time,” and added, “At the same time as we move forward with political and party reform, we are also dealing with issues such as high prices, a weak yen, and security issues that are becoming increasingly severe.” There are also environmental issues, and we will respond firmly to them.” He went on to state that he would support the Kishida administration, saying, “The Liberal Democratic Party is currently in a very difficult situation, so it is necessary for the party to come together as one to face the situation.”
◆Constitutional Democratic Party leader calls for the dissolution of the House of Representatives, saying, “Today’s curse has risen.”
Meanwhile, Constitutional Democratic Party Representative Kenta Izumi told reporters at party headquarters on the night of the 28th, saying with confidence, “Our appeal that the Liberal Democratic Party should listen to the people, not the party itself, has been permeated.” He said it with his facial expressions.
Analyzing the cause of their victory, Izumi said, “The LDP’s political reform plan that came out during the election period was completely disappointing.This had a huge impact.” He also pointed out that “If the Liberal Democratic Party’s political reform plan does not move forward, we must question its faith,” and urged Prime Minister Kishida to quickly dissolve the House of Representatives and call a general election.
Akira Nagatsuma, chairman of the Policy Research Institute and chairman of the Toryokuren, said at Mr. Sakai’s campaign office, “It’s clear that the LDP’s political reform plan has been given a failing grade.The uncovering of the slush funds has also been given a failing grade. It means that you should cleanse yourself and start again.” She called for an early dissolution of the House of Representatives, saying, “Today is a sign that we will hold a general election as soon as possible and settle this chaotic politics with the will of the people.”
◆The Ritsumeikan and Ishin fought for leadership.
The Liberal Democratic Party, which has faced headwinds due to the slush funds scandal, was unable to field candidates in Tokyo’s 15th ward and Nagasaki’s 3rd ward due to constituency circumstances.
On the other hand, in Tokyo’s 15th ward and Nagasaki’s 3rd ward, where the Liberal Democratic Party lost by default, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Restoration Party each fielded approved candidates. In the run-up to the next House of Representatives election, there was a battle for leadership over which party was best suited to take over the government, but in both cases the party won the vote.
◆Voting rate in Tokyo’s 15 wards was 40.70%
The number of voters on the day of the Tokyo 15th Ward by-election was 430,285. Voter turnout was an all-time low of 40.70%, 18.03 percentage points lower than the previous House of Representatives election in October 2021 (voter turnout 58.73%). The number of people who voted early was 56,169, 25,561 fewer than the 81,730 people who voted last time.
The following nine candidates ran for Tokyo’s 15 wards (in order of submission)
・New lawyer from various factions “Party to protect the people from NHK”Katsuya FukunagaMr. (43)
・An independent newcomer and vice representative of the First Association.Ototake YokoMr. (48) = People’s Democratic Party, First Association Recommendation
・Nurses who are new members of political partiesRina YoshikawaMr. (36)
・Former Independent Minister of the EnvironmentTsukasa AkimotoMr. (52)
・Former Ezaki Glico employee who is new to the Japan Restoration SocietyYui KanazawaMr. (33) = Recommended by the Association to Realize Free Education
・A newcomer to the Tsubasa no Toi faction who runs an IT company.Ryosuke NemotoMr. (29)
・A former Koto ward councilor who is a newcomer to the Constitutional Democratic Party and receives support from the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party.Natsumi SakaiMr. (37)
・A new member of the Japanese Conservative Party and a visiting professor at Reitaku University.IishanyangMr. (48)
・Unaffiliated rookie former mixed martial artistGenki SudoMr. (46)