2023 Japanese by-elections

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In 2023, by-elections were held in Japan in order to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, the two houses of the National Diet of Japan. [1]

Contents

April by-elections

On 23 April 2023, 5 by-elections were held together with the second phase of the unified local elections (municipal elections except designated major cities), including Yamaguchi 4th district, the seat of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was assassinaed on 8 July 2022. [2]

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Japan Innovation Party both made 1 pickup, flipping an Independent and a Democratic Party for the People seat respectively. [3]

ConstituencyHouseOutgoing MPPartyMember electedPartyReason
Chiba 5th district House of Representatives Kentaro Sonoura Independent (elected LDP) Arfiya Eri LDP Resigned on 19 December 2022 [4]
Wakayama 1st district House of Representatives Shuhei Kishimoto  [ ja ] DPP Yumi Hayashi JIP Resigned on 1 September 2022 [5]
Yamaguchi 2nd district House of Representatives Nobuo Kishi LDP Nobuchiyo Kishi  [ ja ] LDP Resigned on 3 February 2023 [6]
Yamaguchi 4th district House of Representatives Shinzo Abe LDP Shinji Yoshida LDP Assassinated on 8 July 2022 [7]
Ōita at-large district House of Councillors Kiyoshi Adachi Independent Aki Shirasaka  [ ja ] LDP Resigned on 10 March 2023 [8]

October by-elections

The October by-elections were held on 22 October 2023 after Nagasaki 4th district representative Seigo Kitamura's death [9] and the resignation of Tokushima-Kōchi at-large district representative Kojiro Takano after beating his secretary. [10] Both representatives were members of the Liberal Democratic Party. [11]

The LDP lost 1 upper house seat to Independent Hajime Hirota who was backed by opposition parties Constitutional Democratic, Communist, and Social Democratic. [12]

ConstituencyHouseOutgoing MPPartyMember electedPartyReason
Nagasaki 4th district House of Representatives Seigo Kitamura LDP Yōzō Kaneko  [ ja ] LDP Died on 20 May 2023 [13]
Tokushima-Kōchi at-large district House of Councillors Kōjirō Takano LDP Hajime Hirota IndependentResigned on 22 June 2023 [11]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yukishige Okubo</span> Japanese politician

Yukishige Okubo is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a fmember of the House of Councillors in the Diet. A native of Isahaya, Nagasaki and graduate of Nagasaki University, he had served in the assembly of Nagasaki Prefecture since 2003. After running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 2005, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunma 1st district</span> Constituency in Japanese parlement

Gunma 1st District is a single-member constituency of the Japanese House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Diet. It is located in Gunma Prefecture and consists of the cities of Maebashi and Numata and the district of Tone as well as parts of the cities of Kiryū, Shibukawa and Midori. As of 2012, 387,120 eligible voters were registered in the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunma at-large district</span>

Gunma At-Large District is a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It consists of Gunma Prefecture and elects two Councillors, one per election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanagawa at-large district</span>

The Kanagawa at-large district is a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan represented by six Councillors. It comprises the entire prefecture of Kanagawa and elects three Councillors every three years by single non-transferable vote.

Tokushima at-large district was a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It consists of Tokushima Prefecture and elects two Councillors, one every three years by a first-past-the-post system for a six-year term. In the first election in 1947, Tokushima like all districts used single non-transferable vote to elect both its Councillors in one election.

Nagasaki 1st district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. It is located in Southwestern Nagasaki and covers the city of Nagasaki without the former towns of Kinkai and Sotome. As of 2009, 353,871 eligible voters were registered in the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagasaki at-large district</span> Constituency in House of Counsellors, National Diet, Japan

The Nagasaki at-large district is a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It consists of Nagasaki Prefecture and elects two Councillors, one every three years by a first-past-the-post system for a six-year term. In the first election in 1947, Nagasaki like all districts used single non-transferable vote to elect both its Councillors in one election. Similar to other small, rural Kyushu prefectures, it is a "conservative kingdom" in favor of the LDP. Since the Democratic Party folded, LDP candidates have consistently won with over 50% of the vote.

Nagasaki 2nd district is a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. It is located in Southern Nagasaki and covers parts of the city of Nagasaki, the cities of Shimabara, Isahaya, Saikai, Unzen and Minamishimabara as well as the Nishisonogi District with the towns of Togitsu and Nagayo. As of 2009, 335,195 eligible voters were registered in the district.

Nagasaki 1st district was a constituency of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. Between 1947 and 1993 it elected five Representatives by single non-transferable vote. It was located in Nagasaki and, as of 1993, consisted of the cities of Nagasaki, Isahaya and Shimabara and the Nishisonogi, Kitatakaki, Minamitakaki, Kamiagata and Shimoagata counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iwate at-large district</span> Japan House of Councillors constituency

The Iwate at-large district is a constituency of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It consists of Iwate Prefecture and elects two Councillors, one every three years, making it one of the decisive single-member districts. Ichirō Ozawa came from the prefecture, and as a result, it is much more markedly competitive than many other rural, 2 seat districts. In fact, it was represented by two opposition members until 2022, when Hirose defeated CDP Councilor Eiji Kidoguchi to return it to split control. It is also one of the districts where the opposition have been most consolidated; the last time multiple major party Opposition members ran was 2013. The last LDP member to represent the district before Hirose was Motoo Shiina, who left the party in 1998.

Nagasaki 3rd district is a single-member electoral district for the House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Diet of Japan. It is located in the prefecture of Nagasaki. It covers parts of Nagasaki on the main island of Kyūshū – the city of Ōmura and the towns of Kawatana, Hasami and Higashisonogi, Nagasaki in former Higashi-Sonogi-gun – and several of the prefecture's island municipalities: the cities of Iki, Tsushima and Gotō and the town of Shin-Kamigotō in Minami-Matsuura/"South Matsuura" district. As of September 2011, 211,289 eligible voters were registered in Nagasaki 3rd district, giving it the second highest vote weight in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyōgo at-large district</span>

The Hyogo at-large district is a constituency that represents Hyogo Prefecture in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It currently has five Councillors in the 242-member house, but this representation will increase to six by July 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamagata at-large district</span>

The Yamagata at-large district is a constituency that represents Yamagata Prefecture in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. Councillors are elected to the house by single non-transferable vote (SNTV) for six-year terms. Since the establishment of the current House of Councillors electoral system in 1947, the district has elected two Councillors, one each at elections held every three years. It has 937,920 registered voters as of September 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miyagi at-large district</span> Japan House of Councillors constituency

The Miyagi at-large district is a multi-member constituency that represents Miyagi Prefecture in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It currently has two Councillors in the 242-member house, but this representation will decrease to two at the next election, to be held by July 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fukushima at-large district</span>

The Fukushima at-large district is a constituency that represents Fukushima Prefecture in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It currently has three Councillors in the 242-member house.

The Shizuoka at-large district is a constituency that represents Shizuoka Prefecture in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. It has four Councillors in the 242-member house.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Tokyo 10th district by-election</span>

A by-election for the Tokyo 10th district in the Japanese Japanese House of Representatives was held on 23 October 2016 to replace Yuriko Koike, who vacated the seat to contest the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July 2016. Koike, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), had represented the district since the December 2012 general election and also served a previous term from 2005 to 2009. The election was won by LDP candidate Masaru Wakasa, an incumbent member for the Tokyo proportional representation block who had supported Koike during her gubernatorial campaign. A separate by-election for the Fukuoka 6th district was held on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagasaki 4th district</span> Electoral district in Nagasaki, Japan

Nagasaki 4th District was a single-member electoral district for the House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Diet of Japan. It was located in western Nagasaki and consisted of the cities of Sasebo, Hirado, Matsuura and Saikai, as well as Kitamatsuura District. As of 2021, 250,004 eligible voters were registered in the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miyagi 6th district</span> Electoral District in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Miyagi Prefecture 6th district was an electoral district for the Japanese House of Representatives. The district was established In 1994 as a single member district from most of Miyagi 2nd district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wakayama 1st district</span> Electoral district in Wakayama, Japan

Wakayama 1st district is an electoral district in the Japanese House of Representatives. The current representative is Yumi Hayashi, member of the Nippon Ishin no Kai. She won the seat in a special election in April 2023. The previous representative, Shuhei Kishimoto, resigned on 1 September 2022 to successfully run for office as governor of Wakayama Prefecture.

References

  1. "Upcoming April by-elections likely litmus test for Kishida's leadership". The Japan Times. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. McCurry, Justin (2023-04-10). "Japan ruling party triumphs in local elections despite criticism over links to Moonies". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. Johnston, Eric (2023-04-24). "Kishida rules out snap poll after LDP wins big in Sunday by-elections". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. "LDP lawmaker Kentaro Sonoura to resign over political funds scandal". The Japan Times. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  5. "岸本周平氏の辞職許可 和歌山知事選出馬へ—衆院:時事ドットコム". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. Johnston, Eric (2023-02-27). "Yamaguchi by-election puts spotlight on dynastic politics". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. "Shinzo Abe: How the former Japan PM's assassination unfolded". BBC News. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  8. "安達参院議員の辞職許可 | 政治 | 全国海外 | 神戸新聞NEXT". www.kobe-np.co.jp (in Japanese). 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  9. "令和5年10月22日執行 衆議院小選挙区選出議員補欠選挙(長崎県第4区) | 長崎県". www.pref.nagasaki.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  10. "秘書殴った自民・高野光二郎参院議員が辞職、補欠選挙は10月22日". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  11. 1 2 "秘書殴った自民・高野光二郎参院議員が辞職、補欠選挙は10月22日". Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  12. 日本放送協会. "参院補選 徳島高知 | NHK選挙WEB". www.nhk.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  13. Nagasaki prefectural government, prefectural electoral commission announcements: 令和5年10月22日執行予定 衆議院小選挙区選出議員補欠選挙(長崎県第4区), retrieved 2023/7/13.

See also