Voters in Tokyo reflect shifting political views across Japan

Japan Times

3 days ago

As voters headed to the polls on Sunday for what could be one of the most turbulent elections in recent history, constituents across Tokyo reflected the nation's diverging political beliefs. Amid heightened debate over rising prices, some voters stuck to their usual choices, while others began to seek alternatives, underscoring the fragmentation of Japan's political landscape.
Although the rise in popularity of smaller parties has been making headlines in recent weeks, especially given the success of parties like the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) in the Lower House election last year and the far-right Sanseito in the Tokyo Assembly election last month, many — especially among the older generation — continue to vote for the same parties as they always have.
'(I voted for) the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan — I always vote for them,' said 84-year-old Goro Hashimoto in Toshima Ward on Sunday morning. 'They care about the people, which is especially important with rising prices.'
Another voter in her 80s, Natsuko Hagi, shared that she cast her vote for the Japanese Communist Party, as she always has.
'I want them to make (the country) better for the elderly and children,' she said.
Loyalty to the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), remains intact among some of its supporters.
'I voted for Keizo Takemi,' said 57-year-old Satoshi Kaguragi, referring to the LDP candidate in the Tokyo district who is running for re-election for the sixth time at the age of 73. 'Why? Because he's from the LDP.'
On the other hand, many constituents, frustrated with the current state of affairs, have turned away from the LDP and are seeking possibilities in newer and smaller parties.
'I used to vote for the LDP, mainly because when the opposition came into power, they couldn't cooperate in Kasumigaseki and all they did was complain without offering any solutions,' said 63-year-old Ono, who only gave his last name. He cast his vote for Sanseito for the first time after being impressed by their straightforward messaging. 'Right now, (the LDP is) not putting the country first.'
'I don't know how far they will go or what power is backing them at the moment, but I think the message they're sending is very respectable,' said Ono, saying that he wanted to cast his vote for the potential he believes Sanseito represents.
Takashi Kudo, a 37-year-old father, was spending the three-day weekend with his family in Shibuya Ward but voted early for the DPP in his Miyagi Prefecture hometown.
'Up until now, I used to support the LDP, but after hearing about everything that's been happening, I started thinking that the LDP is no longer the right choice,' said Kudo. 'Child-rearing issues are a top priority for me, but nothing really changes under (the LDP).'
Others say they have been committed to the DPP since last year's Lower House election. A 64-year-old man, who asked to go by his last name, Ishii, said he supports the party because of how straightforward and realistic their policies are.
'I feel that the DPP has the casting vote (within the Diet), and that makes me believe they have the ability to influence the government,' he said. 'I'm counting on them.'
Messaging from the DPP is also resonating with some members of the younger generation.
'I like their promise to support the working generation,' said Inoue, a 21-year-old college student, who also declined to share his first name. 'I think that's a really good policy, especially when considering Japan's future in the long-term.'
Other young people, including 26-year-old Mai Kajikawa, who admits that she isn't as up-to-date on politics as she should be and mostly gets her information from social media, also believes that the current government cannot stay in power — though she hadn't yet decided who to vote for.
'I think (the government) is just stiff and entrenched,' she said, adding that her main interest lies in policies aimed at improving the situation for working women. 'I'm aware it might be cherrypicking to some extent, but because I see so many posts trending on X questioning whether we should trust the people currently in power, I felt like I should cast my vote in this election to help change things.'