Opposition Leads in All Three By-Elections for Japanese National Diet Seats

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] According to exit poll results, the opposition joint candidates appeared to have an advantage in all races in the Japanese parliamentary by-elections held on the 25th.

According to Kyodo News exit polls, in the House of Representatives Hokkaido 2nd district by-election, a landslide victory was expected for Matsuki Genko, the candidate of the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party. Matsuki was found to be far ahead of five political newcomers, including conservative independent candidate Tsuruba Yoshiko. Matsuki is a former member of the House of Representatives and ran as an opposition joint candidate in this election.

The Hokkaido 2nd district by-election was held after former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshikawa Takamori, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, resigned due to being indicted on bribery charges. The LDP did not field a candidate.

Kyodo News also reported that in the House of Councillors Nagano district by-election to elect a successor to Hata Yuichiro, a Constitutional Democratic Party member who died from COVID-19, the opposition candidate was slightly ahead. This election was a two-way contest between Hata Jiro, the late Hata's brother and opposition joint candidate from the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Komatsu Yutaka from the LDP.

In the fiercely contested House of Councillors Hiroshima district, opposition joint candidate Miyaguchi Haruko was slightly ahead of LDP's Nishita Hidenori. The Hiroshima district by-election was held after former LDP member Kawai Anri resigned just before a final guilty verdict was confirmed for violating the Public Offices Election Act.

This by-election was the first held since Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide took office, and if the ruling party suffers a complete defeat, it is expected to deal a blow to the Suga administration.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.