
Party backing Tokyo governor becomes largest force after assembly election
Parties had pitched all-out campaigns because they see the vote as a bellwether for an upcoming Upper House poll in July. The two elections concur only once in 12 years.
Sunday's assembly election put all 127 seats up for grabs. Candidates ran in 42 districts.
TOMIN First, which was established by Koike, won 31 seats, the most of all the groups.
The Liberal Democratic Party, the biggest force before the vote, acquired 21 seats, its record low. The LDP is the largest ruling party in national politics.
Komeito collected 19 seats, with three of its candidates defeated. It had seen all its candidates secure seats in the previous eight assembly elections for Tokyo. The party is the LDP's coalition partner in the Diet.
TOMIN First, the LDP and Komeito back Koike's agenda. Combined, they hold a majority of the assembly seats.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan racked up 17 seats, a gain of two from its pre-election showing. The CDP is the largest opposition force at the national level.
The Japanese Communist Party notched 14 seats, down five.
The Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito chalked up nine and three seats, respectively. Both secured seats for the first time at the assembly.
Tokyo Seikatsusha Network retained its pre-election level of one seat.
The Japan Innovation Party lost its sole seat it had held before the vote.
The Path to Rebirth fielded 42 candidates, but earned no seats. Its head is Ishimaru Shinji, who lost to Koike and ended up as runner-up in the Tokyo gubernatorial election last year.

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