'Impact of Abe' Japan Upper House Election Early Voting Hits Record High... Final Campaign Candidate Secures Reelection (Comprehensive)

LDP Key Figures "Want to Deliver Good Results to Abe"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyunjung and Jung Hyunjin] The number of early voters in the Japanese House of Councillors election has been recorded at an all-time high. It is interpreted that the shooting death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the 8th influenced this. Key members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who appear to have secured victory in this election, have sent messages expressing their desire to "report good results" to former Prime Minister Abe.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on the 10th that the number of early voters nationwide before the election day for the House of Councillors election was 19.61 million. This exceeds the previous record of 17.06 million in the 2019 election, which had one less day of voting, by about 2.55 million, marking the highest level ever for the House of Councillors election. The proportion of early voters among all eligible voters rose by 2.5 percentage points to 18.6% compared to the previous election.

Early voting is a system available to those who cannot vote on the actual voting and counting day due to work, travel, or other reasons. This time, it was conducted over 17 days from June 23, the day after the official announcement, until July 9, the day before voting and counting.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [Image source=Yonhap News]

Compared to the first early voting in 2004 (7.17 million), the number of voters has nearly tripled. The highest record for early voting in national elections was in the 2017 House of Representatives election, with 21.37 million participants. At that time, the approach of Typhoon No. 21 on the voting and counting day was expected, which led to higher participation than usual.

The local Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that the increase in voters completing their voting during daily activities such as commuting, attending school, or shopping is a contributing factor. During the election campaign period, each party also encouraged early voting through street speeches and the internet to solidify their support base.

According to Sankei Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun, Toshimitsu Motegi, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, appeared on a broadcast that afternoon and said, "Touring nationwide has caused a great response. I expect good results," adding, "I hope to be able to report good results to former Prime Minister Abe." Tatsuo Fukuda, Chairman of the LDP General Council, also appeared on a radio broadcast after voting ended and said about the impact of Abe’s death on voting, "I don’t know for sure, but including that, I want to believe that voters made a calm judgment."

Local foreign media reported that Kei Sato, the LDP candidate in Narashi, where former Prime Minister Abe made his last election support rally before his death, has secured re-election. Mainichi reported that Sato "watched the vote count with only the election committee executives at the office without supporters," and "held a press conference to talk about his aspirations but refrained from ceremonies such as three cheers or presenting bouquets," describing the atmosphere.

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