Campaign for Japanese National Assembly elections launched

On October 15, the campaign for the Japanese National Assembly elections officially began nationwide. The election is scheduled to take place on October 27, in which Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to continue to hold power for a new term and restore public confidence after a slush fund scandal involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (second right) during his campaign for the Japanese Parliament. Photo: Japan Times

According to Kyodo, more than 1,300 candidates will run for a total of 465 seats in the Lower House in the first election since 2021. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba dissolved the Lower House just eight days after taking office. The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito are aiming to maintain a majority in the Lower House, or at least 233 seats. The alliance has 288 seats in the recently dissolved Diet.

Regaining trust is a top priority for the LDP after revelations that party members had underreported their fundraising income, drawing criticism from opposition lawmakers. The scandal led to the downfall of Mr. Ishiba’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida, as prime minister.

More than 65 percent of respondents in a recent Kyodo News survey said the LDP was their top choice.

KHANH MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khoi-dong-chien-dich-van-dong-tranh-cu-quoc-hoi-nhat-ban-post763709.html