Japan's LDP wins one by-election, loses another on Sunday

TOKYO, Oct 23 (NHK) - Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party won one of the two Diet by-elections held on Sunday. The LDP lost the other seat to an opposition-backed candidate.

In the Lower House by-election in Nagasaki Prefecture, LDP candidate Kaneko Yozo, a former businessman, defeated a former lawmaker from the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.

Kaneko was also supported by the LDP's junior coalition partner, Komeito.

In the Upper House by-election in the merged Tokushima-Kochi district, Hirota Hajime -- an independent backed by four opposition parties -- beat the LDP's candidate.

The two by-elections were head-to-head battles between the ruling and opposition camps. Senior LDP and CDP officials joined the contenders on their campaign trails to appeal for support.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio told reporters on Monday that he takes the results seriously and will fully prepare for future elections by carefully analyzing local political situations and the impact of electoral district mergers. ...continue reading

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