27-Year-Old Female Lawmaker Who Changed Party Affiliation to Win Election Faces Intense Backlash on SNS... "Traitor" Controversy

"Even if the party changes, I myself have not changed. I want to transcend party affiliation and change the region."

On the 9th, in the first half of Japan's unified local elections, 27-year-old female politician Imai Ruru, who changed her party affiliation and was elected as a city council member, is drawing significant attention both inside and outside Japanese politics. She entered politics two years ago in 2021 as the youngest candidate nationwide and this time was elected after switching party affiliation, leading some to label her a "traitor."

Eimai Ruru Elected Candidate. (Photo by Eimai Ruru)

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On the 11th, NHK reported an article analyzing the background of Imai’s election victory. Imai joined the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in January after leaving the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the main opposition party, and ran as an independent candidate recommended by the LDP in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, winning the election. NHK analyzed that despite criticism labeling her a "political turncoat" and "traitor," she moved voters by promoting "young politics" that differentiated her from established politicians.

Imai has been a figure of interest since her political debut. She joined the CDP in 2021 and declared her candidacy for the House of Representatives in Gifu Prefecture’s 5th district on her 25th birthday, gaining eligibility to run. Although she was the youngest candidate nationwide, she narrowly lost by about 13,000 votes to a veteran LDP lawmaker who was her competitor at the time. Because of this, she was called the "hope of the CDP" and emerged as a formidable new opposition politician.

Just over a year later, in January, she submitted her resignation from the CDP. She held a press conference announcing her intention to run as an independent candidate recommended by the LDP. Changing party affiliation in Japan is unusual, and moving from a clearly progressive party to the conservative LDP sparked nationwide controversy. Japanese media at the time called the process a "forbidden defection."

The CDP expressed regret through its party leader and faced sharp criticism from supporters. Ultimately, the CDP did not accept her resignation and expelled her, demanding the return of 6.5 million yen in campaign funds provided for the 2021 House of Representatives election.

According to NHK and local media, the LDP was the one working behind the scenes at that time. The former lawmaker who served as the head of Imai’s election campaign headquarters when she ran under the CDP was convicted, and there was a continuing occurrence of defections from the CDP. The LDP seized this ongoing "home risk" as an opportunity.

Eimai Ruru, the elected representative, greeting people on the street. (Photo by Eimai Ruru)

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Despite Gifu Prefecture’s Tajimi City being known as a "conservative stronghold," the city has been dominated by opposition parties for about 30 years, with mayors coming from non-LDP backgrounds. However, the local assembly’s two seats were split evenly between the LDP and the CDP. If Imai, who was then a candidate, joined the LDP, the LDP could aim to monopolize the local assembly seats in this opposition-strong area. NHK analyzed that veteran LDP local lawmakers targeted this opportunity and sought to recruit her.

Ultimately, this election campaign was a process of overcoming backlash and stigma. Printed materials calling her a "traitor" were delivered to the campaign office, and she was bombarded with calls demanding repayment of campaign funds received during her CDP days. After speeches, she was heckled with phrases like "traitor, shame of Tajimi City."

Despite these adverse conditions, Imai was evaluated to have leveraged her strength in campaigning through social media (SNS) to lead the race favorably. Her effective use of SNS distinguished her from established politicians and highlighted her identity as a 27-year-old young politician. She used Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LINE, and Facebook to broadcast speeches and street campaigns in real time and communicate with voters.

Eimai Ruru, the elected candidate, appealing for votes through short videos on SNS. (Photo by Eimai Ruru Facebook)

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Her pledges and policies targeted the younger generation. At her candidacy announcement, Imai stated, "(Leaving the party) was a choice made for the region and to seriously convey my desire to work hardest on childcare support and support for women and youth." She campaigned on promises such as "providing rest facilities for prenatal and postnatal care," "building networks for career development of working women," and "promoting youth employment in the region," aiming at voters in their 20s and 30s and young parents raising children.

Ultimately, her election victory appears to have been influenced by the votes of constituents thirsty for young politics focused on childcare and youth policies, active communication through SNS, and her recognition.

She told reporters, "I wanted to engage in politics for the future of Tajimi City," and added, "I will take each vote seriously and convey the thoughts of voters to the political world."

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