LDP incumbents Asahi, Mihara set to win

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:33 JST, July 10, 2022

Liberal Democratic Party incumbent Kentaro Asahi has been assured of reelection in the Tokyo Constituency, where six seats were being contested, in Sunday’s House of Councillors election.

A former member of Japan’s Olympic beach volleyball team, Asahi touted his hard work to bring about the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, as well as his career as a former parliamentary secretary at the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry.

He gained support from swing voters as well as LDP supporters.

In the Kanagawa Constituency, where four seats were up for grabs, LDP incumbent Junko Mihara was set to secure her third term. Mihara is an advisor to the state minister for measures to combat the chronically low birthrate.

Also known for her acting career, Mihara promoted her achievements in realizing insurance coverage for infertility treatment as senior vice minister to the health, labor and welfare minister, and gained widespread support.

She was backed strongly by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, for whom Kanagawa Prefecture is his home turf.