Elections

Komeito Shocked to See 12 Local Election Loses

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi speaks at a meeting of the ruling parties at the Prime Minister’s Office in April 10.

Jiji Press

17:10 JST, April 25, 2023

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The results of this month’s unified local elections across Japan rocked Komeito, the coalition partner of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party, which saw 12 of its 1,555 candidates lose, the most since the party took its current form in 1998.

Regarding unified local elections as important as national elections, Komeito aimed for all of its candidates to win in the recent elections.

Therefore, even the 12 losses sent shock waves through the party. “It was a shocking result,” a party official said.

Komeito suffered election losses, including in assembly races in Aichi Prefecture, Osaka City and some of Tokyo’s special wards. In particular, four of its 11 candidates lost in the Nerima Ward assembly election.

“We continue to face challenges from emerging forces,” Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi told a press conference on Monday, referring mainly to Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party).

“I myself have to reflect on my lack of ability,” Yamaguchi noted. He indicated that he will make every effort to regain the party’s strength.