Jul 05 (Nikkei) - The Liberal Democratic Party regained the largest number of seats in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly in Sunday's election for the capital's legislature.
The LDP, headed in national politics by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, displaced Tomin First no Kai, or Tokyoites First party, a regional party founded by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, as the leading force in the 127-seat assembly.
However, the LDP and ally Komeito failed to win a combined majority in the assembly, dealing a blow to their coalition gears up for a general election slated for the fall.
Coronavirus infections in Tokyo are once again on the rise after the state of emergency was lifted last month.
Voter turnout was estimated at 42.40 percent, down 8.88 points from the turnout at the same time in the previous Tokyo assembly election in 2017.
For Tomin First, comprised of many young members who have not established strong footholds in the capital yet, full-fledged support of Koike was mandatory to win out the regional assembly election with some 11 million eligible voters.
Koike, who currently serves as special adviser to the regional party, was hospitalized due to severe fatigue for over a week in late June and was unable to get out and stump for the party during the campaign.
