Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party was reeling in shock on Monday following its defeat in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly by-elections the previous day, with lawmakers worried about the repercussions with a national election looming.
Former reconstruction minister Katsuei Hirasawa, a ninth-term House of Representatives lawmaker from a constituency in Tokyo, described the election result as a "crushing defeat" and emphasized for the need to take "drastic reforms" for the party.
The LDP, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, managed to secure only two seats in Sunday's metropolitan assembly by-elections among the eight districts where the party fielded its own candidates. Nine districts across Tokyo were being contested, and before the polls, the party aimed to get at least four slots.
The result is set to take a heavy toll on Kishida, who seeks a reelection in the party's leadership race in September, as a political funds scandal has eroded public trust in the party and sent support for his Cabinet to its lowest levels since it was launched in October 2021.
The LDP has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that some of its factions, including the biggest one formerly headed by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, neglected to report portions of their income from fundraising parties and created slush funds.
In contrast, the Tokyo gubernatorial election win by incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike was positive news for the LDP. With the effective backing of the LDP, Koike secured a third consecutive four-year term in the election held also on Sunday, ending a winning streak in recent elections for the main opposition party.
Nonetheless, the LDP vowed to do its utmost to restore public trust.
Yuko Obuchi, the LDP's election campaign chief, said in a statement that the party "took seriously" the dismal results of the metropolitan assembly by-elections and pledged to promote political reforms.
Among the eight districts, the LDP lost in Hachioji, which is the hometown of former industry minister Koichi Hagiuda, a key member of the Abe faction. Abe was fatally shot during a stump speech just two years ago.
The next general election must be held by October 2025, when the current four-year terms for lower house members expire.
Regarding the outlook for the national election, a senior LDP lawmaker warned that the party may face a "devastating outcome."
Hiroshi Ogushi, head of the election strategy committee of the leading opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said the LDP has been facing headwinds from the slush funds scandal.
But the CDPJ itself has not fared well in the gubernatorial election. Following its wins in three lower house by-elections in April, the party had been aiming to expand its support base to seize power from the LDP.
Renho, who served as a CDPJ lawmaker before running for Tokyo governor, failed to secure second place and was defeated by Shinji Ishimaru, a social media-savvy former mayor from Hiroshima Prefecture.
© KYODO
6 Comments
Login to comment
BertieWooster
Time for a change. The LDP has overstayed its welcome. Too much corruption. Too much clinging to old ways and too many heads in the sand. Let's have a party that's in communication with its people and not just supporting the old boy network.
Yubaru
Aww... you mean the LDP could be in trouble? (About time!)
Now watch Kishida come out with some "economic stimulus" and bribe everyone with a 10,000 yen voucher that costs around 30,000 yen each to create!
Then he will claim he is doing it for the people, and "remember" him and the LDP when elections come around!
sakurasuki
This article explain the last weekend Tokyo assembly election,
https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2024070800087&g=pol
it was to fill vacant position. Some members died, resign or other things. So in total there was 9 vacants position, LDP sent 8 candidate to fill that 9 vacant position however only got 2 seat.
Total seat of Tokyo Assembly are 127 seats, those seats will be remain unchanged until next year Tokyo Prefectural election, which will be held in July.
smithinjapan
"Former reconstruction minister Katsuei Hirasawa, a ninth-term House of Representatives lawmaker from a constituency in Tokyo, described the election result as a "crushing defeat" and emphasized for the need to take "drastic reforms" for the party."
Notice how it's drastic reforms FOR the party, and not OF the party? I know that's translation, but still. They're likely going to do what they have done in the past and limit representation in local elections in order to favor their party.
As for voting other parties, the other parties are just LDP dropouts, most of whom dropped out because they didn't get their way on a certain issue, but still stand for pretty much everything else the LDP does. In short, there are no good alternatives. If people vote for a non-LDP member it's because that member is good looking and/or is from the voter's hometown. That's it.
kurisupisu
“reeling in shock”
Such a dramatic comment for a party which has dictatorial control of government.
However, the myriad scandals and self serving actions of the politicos won’t be their downfall as the public doesn’t and hasn’t been allowed to censure the all powerful LDP to any extent.
Cracks are appearing in Japanese society which will soon rock the LDP much more than highly priced steak dinners.
CKAI
shinji Ishima-?
Oh yea that Hashimoto jr. guy…
I hear some bots on Social media allegedly love him.
WHo else is buyin the cheap mystery Loot fund paid for online volunteers, recruit in a suit, former mayor from Looters anonymous playbook.
Just like 2021 again. More goalposts more astroturfs. All the stripes, Green, Navy, Orange, now they got Purple pinstripes. Must be proud. I bet he says CC-P thanks for all the votes Kampai kampai x 80 more yrs too.