LDP heads for two ‘standard losses’ in midterm elections; The outcome could affect the management of the Kishida government

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party headed for a pair of “losses by default” on Sunday as voters went to the polls for three House of Representatives by-elections after nominating a candidate for just one of the available seats.

Among Tokyo Constituency No. 15, Shimane Constituency No. 1, and Nagasaki Constituency No. 3, the LDP only fielded a candidate in the Shimane race, which was essentially a one-on-one battle between the LDP and the opposition parties. The results will be announced on Sunday evening and could affect Kishida’s management of his government.

The by-election for Shimane Constituency No. 1, which includes Matsue and some neighboring municipalities, was called following the death of former Speaker of the House of Commons Hiroyuki Hosoda. The LDP fielded a new candidate, who is also backed by the LDP’s junior coalition partner Komeito, against a former lawmaker from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

The Tokyo midterm elections took place following the resignation of former State Justice Minister Mito Kakizawa, who was convicted of violating the election law for public offices. Kakizawa left the LDP after an investigation was launched against him. A total of nine people filed for election in the constituency, which covers Koto Ward, Tokyo.

Yaichi Tanigawa’s resignation led to a by-election in Nagasaki Constituency No. 3. Tanigawa was also convicted of violating the Law on the Control of Political Funds and left the LDP before resigning from the Diet.

The Nagasaiki election was a confrontation between opposition parties. A former MP from the CDPJ lower house, who was also supported by the Social Democratic Party, ran against a newcomer from Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), who was also supported by Free Education for All – a party that together with Nippon Ishin forms a parliamentary group in both chambers of the Diet. .