News On Japan

Japan's Ruling Bloc Faces Tough Battle to Keep Majority

TOKYO, Jul 14 (News On Japan) - The ruling coalition is facing an increasingly difficult battle to retain its majority in Japan’s House of Councillors, according to a mid-campaign opinion poll by FNN ahead of the July 20th election. Meanwhile, the minor party Sanseitō is showing strong momentum and could see a significant boost in its number of seats.

The survey was conducted over two days through July 13th via telephone, asking voters across the country about their preferences in both constituency and proportional representation races. Approximately 33,000 people responded.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which had been leading in about half of the single-member districts as of last week’s survey, is now facing tight races against opposition candidates. In the proportional vote, it appears unlikely to reach its target of securing all 19 seats up for re-election. The party’s total may remain in the low 40s.

Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, is also struggling. Many of its candidates in districts where the party is defending more than three seats are on the borderline, and its combined district and proportional seats may fall short of its current 14.

Together, the LDP and Komeito need to secure at least 50 seats to maintain a majority when non-contested seats are included, but prospects are increasingly uncertain.

Among the opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party is poised to win more constituency seats than it currently holds but is underperforming in the proportional vote, with its total projected to remain in the high 20s.

Nippon Ishin no Kai is maintaining support in its Kansai stronghold but is failing to expand beyond the region, likely limiting it to around its current five seats.

The Japanese Communist Party is leading in the Tokyo district but is struggling elsewhere and in proportional voting, with the total number of seats expected to decline.

The Democratic Party for the People is showing strength in some districts around the Tokyo and Tokai regions and is also gaining traction in the proportional vote, with a potential to double its seat count and approach its goal of at least 16 seats.

Reiwa Shinsengumi appears likely to win multiple seats through the proportional system.

The Sanseitō party is experiencing a significant surge, with strong nationwide momentum in the proportional race and several leading candidates in districts with three or more seats up for election. At this point, the party may exceed 10 seats.

The Social Democratic Party and Japan Conservative Party also have chances to win proportional seats.

With many close races and a significant number of undecided voters remaining, the situation remains fluid and could shift further in the days ahead.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Osaka City decided on September 30th to suspend new applications for so-called special zone minpaku, a category of private lodging that has seen a sharp rise in disputes with local residents.

North Safari Sapporo, a private zoo in the southern district of Sapporo, closed its doors on September 30th after 20 years of operation, leaving around 300 animals including lions and wolves without a confirmed relocation plan.

Tokyo is expected to record a high of 22°C on October 1st, marking the first time in 112 days since June 11th that the temperature has fallen below 25°C, with rainfall cooling the air and bringing an end to the long stretch of summer-like days.

Photos of cult founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto and who was executed for his role in the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, are being displayed alongside childhood pictures of his son in facilities linked to Aleph, the successor group to Aum Shinrikyo, according to findings by the Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA).

In a September opinion poll conducted by TV Tokyo and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi was the frontrunner with 34% when respondents were asked who they believed should be the next Liberal Democratic Party president.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Politics NEWS

An anti-immigration rally in Osaka on September 30th descended into chaos as nationalist groups and Antifa counter-protesters clashed in the streets, with loud chants, heated exchanges, and occasional physical altercations captured on camera.

In a September opinion poll conducted by TV Tokyo and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, former Minister of State for Economic Security Takaichi was the frontrunner with 34% when respondents were asked who they believed should be the next Liberal Democratic Party president.

Five candidates vying for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency held a debate with high school students, emphasizing long-term strategies for Japan’s economy and other policy areas.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race entered its fifth day on September 26th, with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi forced to apologize after his campaign team was found to have requested supportive online posts from backers.

The Supreme Court’s Second Petty Bench, presided over by Chief Justice Akira Ojima, ruled on September 26th that the current system for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives is constitutional, despite a maximum disparity of 2.06-to-1 in the value of votes cast in last October’s general election.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced on September 25th that it will withdraw its "Africa Hometown" project, with President Akihiko Tanaka explaining at a press conference that widespread misunderstanding had created excessive burdens for local governments.

Nearly 18 years have passed since journalist Kenji Nagai was shot dead while covering a protest in Myanmar, and new analysis has revealed that his final words were recorded on the video camera he held until the very end.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru delivered a general debate speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24th, where he underscored the need to expand the Security Council and questioned whether the UN is fulfilling the role originally expected of it.