Defeat of LDP in Tokyo

Liberal Democratic Party suffered from significant defeat in the election of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on Sunday. Their possession of the seat was reduced from 57 before the election to 23 as the result. New regional party led by Governor Yuriko Koike, Tokyoite First, made a great advance from 6 to 49. Supporters of Koike, including LDP’s coalition partner in Shinzo Abe administration Komeito, achieved simple majority with 79 seats. The biggest element of LDP’s historical defeat was arrogance of Abe administration.

After taking seat last summer, Koike targeted obsolete nature of the Assembly members with LDP, which was insisting on old political interest on the background of the scene. Reconsidering relocation of Tsukiji Fish market to Toyosu was one of the symbols of opaque politics in Tokyo, which had been decided in an unclear process. Koike became a leader of anti-LDP politics.

LDP accumulated critical failures before the election. Abe’s unilateral procedure for a bill introducing “conspiracy crime” in the Diet eroded firm support for LDP, as shown in the criticism of LDP supporters who thought it too much. Supporting rate of Abe Cabinet declined with Abe’s dishonest attitude of not explaining his relationship with his old friend and the chairman of Kake Gakuen, which was selected for opening new veterinary school by Abe administration.

Minister of Defense, Tomomi Inada, made false statement in the campaign, which offered illegal support of the members of Self-defense Force for LDP. It was revealed that Abe’s close ally and the President of LDP Tokyo Branch, Hakubun Shimomura, did not make necessary report of donation from Kake Gakuen. Young LDP lawmaker and one of the Abe Children, Mayuko Toyota, left LDP after the report about her power harassment on her staffs.

Some leaders in LDP are critical about the result of the election. “We need to accept the result seriously,” told Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, who was recognized as one of the candidates for next Premier. “If we do not realize reasons of the defeat, we will lose next election, too,” told Former Minister of Defense, Shigeru Ishiba. There rose voices in LDP that predict replacement of Abe.

In the night of Sunday, Abe had a meeting with his close allies, including Minister of Finance, Taro Aso, or Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, and reconfirmed that the result of the election would not lead to responsibility of Prime Minister. Abe hopes to reboot his administration by reshuffling his Cabinet as early as next month. But, it is not guaranteed that new Cabinet members will be the best team.