Arab News Japan
TOKYO: Voting got under way on Sunday in three by-elections for the House of Representatives that observers believe will judge the way Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio handled the “slush fund” scandal that has rocked the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
The by-elections are in Tokyo’s 15th ward, Shimane’s 1st ward, and Nagasaki’s 3rd ward, with voting set to close at 8pm and the results likely to come in later in the evening.
The Liberal Democratic Party has been rocked by scandals in recent years, first with its connections to the Unification Church cult and recently with several politicians from Kishida’s faction skimming money from political donations. The result of the by-elections could determine the date of the next general election.
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Liberal Democratic Party decided not to field candidates in two constituencies, Tokyo and Nagasaki.
Voter turnout was slightly down compared to the 2021 House of Representatives election.
In Tokyo, one voter told Arab News Japan: “I voted for OTOTAKE Hirotada of the Tomin First Party because I thought Ototake wouldn’t do anything wrong. Everyone says nice things but once elected, they spend our taxes like crazy.”
“Prime Minister Kishida is a sly fellow. He says he listens to the people, but the people are being deceived. He doesn’t even say what he will do for us. The most important (thing) is not to be used by the United States. I think Japan will be in big trouble if we do not pursue our own proper principles.”
The Tokyo by-election came about following the resignation of Vice Minister of Justice KAKIZAWA Mito, who was found guilty of violating the Public Offices Election Act.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japan Restoration Party and other political parties are supporting new candidates, as well as several independents.
The election in Shimane came following the death of former House of Representatives Speaker HOSODA Hiroyuki of the Liberal Democratic Party, so the Liberal Democratic Party is fielding a candidate in that constituency.
The Nagasaki 3rd ward election is due to the resignation of TANIGAWA Yaichi, following the slush money scandal.