'Abe Supporters Association,' Successful in Producing Successor, Officially Disbands... "An Era Comes to an End"

30-Year-Old Sponsorship Group Involved in 'Cherry Blossom Scandal'
Lost Its Center After Abe's Death... Dissolved After Election

The "Abe Supporters' Association," which was the political base of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has announced its official dissolution, drawing attention from both inside and outside Japanese politics to the potential impact on the future political landscape. Although Shinji Yoshida, who is called Abe's successor, was elected in Abe's electoral district, the declaration of dissolution by the Abe Supporters' Association, which had already lost its strong central figure, has led some to analyze that "an era has ended."

Shinji Yoshida, the 'Abe successor' elected from Yamaguchi's 4th district, is expressing his victory speech. On the right is Mrs. Akie, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (Photo by Nittere)

On the 24th, Mainichi Shimbun reported that Akio Ito, chairman of the Abe Supporters' Association, stated the day before, "We are thinking of disbanding the supporters' association that has continued after former Prime Minister Abe's passing." Mainichi reported that immediately after Shinji Yoshida, who was well known as Abe's political successor, won in Yamaguchi 4th district, the political base of the Abe family, Ito mentioned the dissolution of the supporters' association, saying, "The role as the Abe Supporters' Association has been fulfilled."

The news of the Abe Supporters' Association's dissolution is expected to have a significant impact on Japanese politics both inside and outside. This supporters' association had been considered a private organization of the Abe family, continuing for more than 30 years since the time of former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, Shinzo Abe's father. The Abe Supporters' Association paved a solid path after creating a succession structure by electing former Prime Minister Abe in the 1993 House of Representatives election. This was because Abe's political influence grew significantly as he became Japan's longest-serving prime minister in history.

The Abe Supporters' Association not only continued to support his local constituency activities but also exerted influence in central politics during his tenure as prime minister. In particular, they were at the center of the so-called "Cherry Blossom Scandal" that followed former Prime Minister Abe. At that time, the Abe Supporters' Association chartered several buses in the electoral district to participate in the government-hosted event "Cherry Blossom Viewing Party," and Abe reimbursed them for the costs, which sparked controversy over "misappropriation of public funds."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the group was greatly weakened after losing its central figure due to Abe's sudden death. Mainichi reported, "After his death, a sense of loss was felt even within the supporters' association. Some members expressed a desire to distance themselves from politics and elections." In September last year, they also decided to close the local constituency office.

Especially since former Prime Minister Abe left no children and thus no direct successor, the association has lost its value as the Abe family's supporters' group. In fact, the voter turnout in Yamaguchi 4th district without Abe was 34.71%, marking the lowest ever. This is a drop of 13.93 percentage points compared to the election two years ago.

Candidate introduction video of Shinji Yoshida. A photo of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hung in the center of the office. (Photo by Shinji Yoshida Official Website)

An anonymous executive in his 70s from the supporters' association told Mainichi, "I will continue to support candidate Yoshida, but since I am also getting older, this will be my last election campaign."

In his victory speech the day before, candidate Yoshida said, "I will renew my determination to resolve the grievances of Mr. Abe and realize his intentions." Mainichi added, "Attention is focused on what activities candidate Yoshida, who has completed the succession structure by winning, will undertake in the future and how he will approach the next House of Representatives election."

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