Campaigning has officially commenced for Japan’s parliamentary election set for October 27. The election comes in the wake of a political funds scandal within the governing party, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba leading the campaign to seek a mandate for his policies and reforms.
Over 1,300 candidates are expected to enter the race for the 465-seat Lower House before the registration closes. Ishiba, who assumed office as prime minister on October 1, kickstarted his campaign in Fukushima, focusing on supporting the region’s recovery from the 2011 nuclear disaster.
The Prime Minister’s decision to call for a snap election has been met with criticism for prioritising the election over policy discussions and minimal debate. Ishiba aims to secure a majority in the lower house, the more powerful of Japan’s two parliamentary chambers. The ruling coalition, consisting of Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito, seeks to maintain its hold on power.
The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, views the public outrage over the ruling party’s scandal as an opportunity to appeal to conservative swing voters. Led by centrist Yoshihiko Noda, a former prime minister, the party is making a conservative shift in a bid to gain ground during the election. However, Japan’s opposition remains fragmented, posing a challenge to dislodging the ruling LDP from power.
Despite a dip in support for Ishiba’s new government within a week of taking office, the LDP remains a favourite among voters compared to other political parties. With the campaign now underway, all eyes are on how the political landscape in Japan will transform in the coming weeks leading up to the election.
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