Votes were counted for the House of Representatives election on the 27th, and in the 24 wards in Tokyo, Koichi Hagiuda (61), former independent minister and former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry who was not recognized by the Liberal Democratic Party because of a slush fund . scandal, the victory of Yoshio Arita, journalist and former member of the House of Councilors (72) and others, securing his seventh election.
Mr. Koichi Hagiuda salutes after confirming his election (photo by Koshiro Hirano)
At 11:54 pm, when NHK announced that Mr. Hagiuda had won the election, more than 100 supporters poured into his office in Hachioji City, shouting things like “Okay!” and “Wow!” applause Mr. Hagiuda was also seen at his office, bowing several times and shaking hands with supporters.
Mr. Hagiuda expressed his gratitude, saying, “This day was possible because of the support I received through a very tough election campaign. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who trusted me.”
“There was a scandal that made everyone uncomfortable, and I complained openly and hoarsely for 12 days. ‘ “Many of my fellow politicians have lost their seats, and I feel that I am responsible for that. There are many things that I have to do, to be born again as politicians, and to go back to my basics . After all, it’s Hagiuda. I’ll do my best to say that.”
Mr. Hagiuda faced strong winds after it was revealed that he did not record the amount of 27.28 million yen in his report on the balance of political funds, and that he received electoral support from the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church this). . In the constituency of Hachioji, Tokyo, Soka University, which is the parent organization of Soka Gakkai, did not receive the recommendation of Komeito, which is said to have received more than 40,000 votes.
During the election campaign, he criticized Arita, saying, “Is it okay for an opposition candidate to choose Hachioji to criticize him?” Explaining the issue of the slush funds, he said, “Yes I am determined to be a member of Hachioji. Give me another chance,” emphasizing his close relationship with the local community and seeking support.
Although the party did not receive official recognition, party figures such as former Secretary General Toshimitsu Mogi and former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi came to support the party one after the other. He secured his vote by getting the full support of local LDP city councilors, who said, “Hachioji needs Mr. Hagiuda.”
In the final stages of the election campaign, it was discovered that 20 million yen had been transferred from the Liberal Democratic Party to the branch of the party where he was the head of the branch. Although Hagiuda expressed his displeasure, he said, “I have already refunded the money without his knowledge. I’m not saying there was a flaw in the party’s procedures.”Regarding the fact that he was holding a photograph of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the absence of support from the Liberal Democratic Party, he said, “The relationship of the -we got close and got a lot of guidance from him. ‘I’m sure he must be very worried about this current situation.”I would like to report that I did my best.”
Mr. Arita was promoted as a “thug” because of his extensive background in the problems associated with the former Unification Church, and he fought alongside local civil groups. He criticized issues such as slush funds, asking for “proper politics,” but to no avail.
◆Assassin Yoshio Arita was not as good as him. Supporter: “Ah, I was defeated!”
Mr. Arita was promoted as a “thug” because of his extensive background in the problems associated with the former Unification Church, and he fought alongside local civil groups. He criticized the issue of slush funds, saying, “We go towards honest politics.”
Arita greeted the supporters saying, “We have come up to this point in a month. In an interview with the press, he explained that the reason was “the lack of strength of the candidates, ” and he expressed his desire to clarify Japan’s problems in politics, saying, “Constitutional politics is doing great. So I want Japan’s problems in politics to clarify.” for him to be a leading party.”
In the early hours of the 28th, Arita succeeded in an election to come back in the proportional bloc of Tokyo. (Yuko Nagatake, Kyota Matsushima)
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