In the two by-elections for the House of Representatives, which set the stage for a showdown between the ruling and opposition parties, the ruling and opposition parties won 2 and lost 1.
Of these, the by-election for the 1th district of Nagasaki in the House of Representatives was assured that Yozo Kaneko (4), a newcomer to the Liberal Democratic Party and endorsed by the New Komeito Party, won the election for the first time. In the Tokushima-Kochi constituency of the House of Councillors, Hajime Hirota, 40, a former member of the House of Councillors who is an independent and supported by four opposition parties, is certain to win the election for the third time.
What kind of election campaign was fought in the fiercely contested 4th district of Nagasaki?
What is the impact on national politics and Prime Minister Kishida's strategy for dissolving the House of Representatives?
The press commentary was compiled in QA.
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《Nagasaki 4th district fierce conflict》Nagasaki Bureau, Mao Taniguchi
Q.What was the reason for the victory of Mr. Kaneko, a newcomer to the Liberal Democratic Party?
Q.How do you see Suetsugu's performance after the defeat?
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《Ruling and Opposition Parties 1 Win 1 Loss》Political Department, Yasuhiro Yamada
Q.How do you see the results?
Q.What will affect Prime Minister Kishida's strategy for dissolving the House of Representatives?
《Comments from each political party》
Open Table of Contents
table of contents
table of contents
notice
《Nagasaki 4th district fierce conflict》Nagasaki Bureau, Mao Taniguchi
Q.What was the reason for the victory of Mr. Kaneko, a newcomer to the Liberal Democratic Party?
Q.How do you see Suetsugu's performance after the defeat?
notice
《Ruling and Opposition Parties 1 Win 1 Loss》Political Department, Yasuhiro Yamada
Q.How do you see the results?
Q.What will affect Prime Minister Kishida's strategy for dissolving the House of Representatives?
《Comments from each political party》
【Detailed vote counting results】House of Representatives by-election Nagasaki 4th district
【Detailed vote counting results】House of Councillors by-election Tokushima Kochi
- notice
《Nagasaki 4th district fierce conflict》Nagasaki Bureau, Mao Taniguchi
Q.What was the reason for the victory of Mr. Kaneko, a newcomer to the Liberal Democratic Party?
A. I believe that the organization-type election campaign that solidifies the support base was successful. According to NHK exit polls, Kaneko has support in the mid-70s from LDP supporters and mid-80% from Komeito's endorsed party.
During the election campaign, local LDP prefectural and city councilors appealed for support, and senior officials from the party headquarters also came to support the party, and in the middle of the election campaign, Prime Minister Kishida also came to the site. We also received support from a wide range of companies and organizations, and engaged in an organized battle.
Q.How do you see Suetsugu's performance after the defeat?
A. I think we fought a good fight. What attracts attention is the support of independents. In an exit poll by NHK, Suetsugu received support from independents in the mid-60s.
On the other hand, non-partisan support for Kaneko remained in the mid-30% range, and Suetsugu received nearly twice the support of Kaneko. Since the middle of the election campaign, Suetsugu has been in Sasebo City, which accounts for nearly 2% of the electorate, every day to target independents and call for their support. I believe that this led to a fierce battle.
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《Ruling and Opposition Parties 1 Win 1 Loss》Political Department, Yasuhiro Yamada
Q.How do you see the results?
A. The two constituencies were originally LDP seats, so I don't think the ruling party will be happy with the results.
In fact, LDP Secretary-General Motegi said, "There is no doubt that we won in Nagasaki was a big but tough election campaign, and we would like to accept the result with humility and enter the extraordinary Diet session with a sense of urgency."
With the Cabinet's approval rating hovering in the 2% range, the LDP is likely to be forced to rebuild its posture for the next House of Representatives election.
On the other hand, the opposition wants to use this as an opportunity to step up the offensive. The senior leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan said that although he did not win two victories, winning the by-election for the House of Councillors was "a sufficient achievement."
At the extraordinary session of the Diet, debate is expected to take place this week on measures to address high prices, and the opposition parties plan to strictly rebuke the Kishida administration's response.
Q.What will affect Prime Minister Kishida's strategy for dissolving the House of Representatives?
A. I think the impact is unavoidable. In Nagatacho, speculation that "there may be a dissolution at an extraordinary Diet session" is still smoldering. However, in response to this result, some in the LDP are of the view that it will be difficult to dissolve the LDP by the end of this year, even though it has won one victory.
On the other hand, some LDP leaders have taken advantage of Prime Minister Kishida's directive to consider reducing the income tax and say, "This may be a stepping stone to dissolution." Prime Minister Kishida is expected to explore the timing of the dissolution while assessing changes in the Cabinet's approval rating and public reaction to the policy of reducing income tax.
《Comments from each political party》
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Motegi: "I would like to face the Diet with humility about the results"
LDP Secretary-General Motegi told reporters at the party's headquarters, "It was disappointing for the Tokushima-Kochi constituency in the House of Councillors, but we were able to achieve a good result in the 4th district of Nagasaki in the House of Representatives. I would like to secure the trust of the people by clarifying what the administration should appeal to and appealing politely."
Chairman of the Rikmin-Ogushi Election Committee: "Positive discussion on how to fight in the next House of Representatives election"
Chairman of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan's Election Committee Ogushi held a press conference at the party's headquarters on the evening of March 22 and said, "Although the result was 1 win and 1 loss, both parties won a landslide victory in the Tokushima-Kochi constituency of the House of Councillors, taking away one seat held by the LDP. Going forward, I would like to reflect on what was lacking within the party and have positive discussions on how to fight in the next House of Representatives election."
In response to a reporter's question about whether Prime Minister Kishida's directive to consider income tax cuts before the by-election voting day had any impact on the election, he criticized, "My feeling is that it worked rather negatively, and the public sees it as an election measure."
Representative Baba Ishin: "Expectations for the existing opposition parties are not strong"
Baba, president of the Japan Restoration Party, issued a comment, saying, "The result of the LDP's 1-1 record shows that while dissatisfaction and doubts about the current government are deeply felt among the public, expectations for the existing opposition parties are not strong at all Japan. and so on.
Komeito Nishida, Chairman of the Election Committee: "Expectations for measures against high prices, etc. have appeared"
Nishida, chairman of the Komeito Party's election committee, issued a comment, saying, "The interim evaluation of the Kishida Cabinet's two-year period was questioned, and its efforts to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and structural wage increases were evaluated, and I think there was a certain amount of expectation for measures to address the current high prices. I hope that Ms. Kaneko of the 2th district of Nagasaki in the House of Representatives will do her utmost to swiftly implement the policies she advocated during the election campaign."
Communist Secretary General Koike: "Public Criticism of the Kishida Administration"
Koike, secretary general of the Communist Party, told reporters at the party's headquarters on the evening of March 22, "This is a manifestation of severe public criticism of the Kishida administration. The 4th district of Nagasaki in the House of Representatives defied initial expectations and brought the result to a close race. It can be said that the effect of the opposition parties narrowing down the candidates to one has been clearly achieved. In the Diet, we will continue to pursue the Kishida administration thoroughly."
Citizens: Chairman Hamano: "I think the harsh will of the people has been shown"
Hamano, chairman of the election committee of the People's Democratic Party, issued a comment, saying, "Although it is a by-election, I believe that the harsh will of the people has been shown for the recent administration of the government. In particular, the Tokushima-Kochi constituency of the House of Councillors was held due to the scandal of a former member, and urged the ruling party to reflect on it. Various issues at home and abroad, such as countermeasures against soaring prices and dealing with the tense international situation, are piling up, and there is no need to wait. We will make every effort to realize the policy at the extraordinary Diet session."