For the next House of Representatives election, the New Komeito Party has decided on candidates for a total of seven single-member constituencies, including Osaka and Hyogo, and of these, Osaka's 7th district will field another candidate in place of the Kita vice-president.
The New Komeito Party announced on March 31 that it will run for the next House of Representatives election in seven single-member constituencies in Osaka, Hyogo, and Hokkaido, according to Secretary-General Ishii.
According to the report, six of the seven constituencies will continue to field incumbents, while Osaka's 7th district will field Kanae Yamamoto, who is elected by proportional representation in the House of Councillors, in place of Deputy Representative Kita who has served as party secretary-general and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Mr. Kitaba is 70 years old.
He was first elected in the House of Representatives election in Heisei 2 and has been elected 10 times so far.
He is well versed in a wide range of policies, including the Constitution and national security, and has led discussions within the ruling party.
It has not been decided whether Mr. Kitabe will retire as a member of parliament at the end of this term.
On the other hand, regarding the Japan Restoration Association's intention to change its policy and field candidates in the constituencies of incumbent Komeito members in Osaka and Hyogo, Mr. Ishii said, "The premise is to firmly win the seats we currently have.