Tokyo’s Secret Funds Scandal and Shinji Ishimaru’s New Party Plans: Election Blow?

Declares, “We will move forward with our candidacy.”

In a Yomiuri Shimbun public opinion poll conducted in December of last year, the support rate for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) reached 12%, surpassing the 8% of the Constitutional Democratic Party and becoming the first opposition party for the first time, trailing only the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at 24%.

Although the party does not hold any seats in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, party leader Yuichiro Tamaki (55) has expressed his intention to gain seats in the upcoming Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections, stating, “We received significant expectations in the House of Representatives election, and we are progressing with candidate selection for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections.”

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is also advancing cooperation with the regional political party “Tomin First no Kai,” of which Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (72) serves as a special advisor. In the April by-election for Tokyo’s 15th district in the House of Representatives, Tamaki supported the independent candidate Hirotada Ototake (48), whom Governor Koike backed, and visited multiple times. The two parties have held study sessions together, and in the most recent House of Representatives election, Tomin First collaborated with the Constitutional Democratic Party.

“By minimizing competition in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, we want to increase the number of seats together.” 

Said a senior official from Tomin First no Kai continued.

“Since the Liberal Democratic Party has no momentum, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan will likely make significant progress. If we gain a certain number of seats, we would like to form a ruling coalition in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly with Tomin First no Kai, the Komeito Party, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. While we haven’t yet discussed adjustments for electoral districts, in areas with five or more seats, like Setagaya (8 seats), Ota (7 seats), and Nerima (7 seats), it shouldn’t be a problem if the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has overlapping candidates. Since Governor Koike and Tamaki, the two leaders, have a good relationship, there shouldn’t be major disputes.“

The unresolved issue of the illicit funds, which has been lingering for more than a year without clarification, casts a shadow over the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly’s Liberal Democratic Party. Will the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan secure seats by riding the momentum from the House of Representatives election and form a partnership with Tomin First no Kai? Or will Shinji Ishimaru create another stir? As the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election this summer approaches, the battle has already begun.