Renho Returns to the Streets Amid Turmoil — Is Her Party Backing Strong Enough to Win?

“Please, let me return to this place once more.”

In front of Jiyūgaoka Station in Meguro Ward, Tokyo. On the evening of June 27, a woman once dubbed the “Question Queen of the Upper House” reappeared on the streets. In the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, Renhō (57) garnered about 1.28 million votes but ultimately finished third, losing to Governor Yuriko Koike (72) and Nobuji Ishimaru (42). At the time, she declared, “I have no intention of returning to national politics,” and even said, “If I come back now, I’ll just be a political drifter.”

Less than a year later, she returned, once again aiming for national office. Running under the Constitutional Democratic Party’s proportional representation ticket, she is contesting the House of Councillors election officially announced on July 3. Appearing for a street speech that day, Renhō spoke as if reclaiming the term political drifter she once used:

“At the time, I felt empty. Even when asked questions, I couldn’t find the answers within myself. Looking back now, I think saying ‘this is a period, a full stop’ was just a way to get by in the moment.”

Having once stirred controversy over her dual nationality and the “R Seal” issue, she now recognizes that she has learned not just strength but also resilience. Sharp as ever, yet a little softer than before. Holding the microphone, she no longer resembled a villain nor a heroine—rather, she seemed like a storyteller who fights.

What she revealed in her street speech

On that day, Renhō wore a white high-neck blouse paired with a light white jacket with flowing drapes. She matched the outfit with black slacks and had her hair cut short, with small earrings adorning her ears. The sharp, striking fashion she once favored had faded, replaced by an air that could be described as quiet determination.

“Hello, I’m Renhō. This is my first street speech in a year.”

In front of Jiyūgaoka Station, as people at café terraces and passersby paused to listen, Renhō began speaking in a calm, steady tone.

“Support for education, child-rearing, young people, transitioning non-regular workers to full-time—so many things I couldn’t accomplish. I was filled with feelings of regret.”

Over the past year, she said she had many conversations with voters. Through them, she deeply felt that politics wasn’t responding to the voices saying, “Life is hard, the future is uncertain.” She also criticized Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s (68) statement about increasing out-of-pocket costs for high-cost medical care, saying, “That’s politics that chips away at people’s lives. I absolutely cannot overlook it.”

Just as Renhō’s impassioned speech was gaining momentum, a sudden jolt of tension swept through the crowd. From deep within the gathered people, a middle-aged man shouted angrily, “This is illegal!” and “You didn’t get a permit!” A scuffle broke out between the man and some of Renhō’s supporters, throwing the scene into turmoil. Surrounded by police officers, the man was temporarily taken to the nearby police box. However, he returned to the site several minutes later and continued yelling.

A FRIDAY Digital reporter approached the man for comment.

“Same thing here in Jiyūgaoka and in Shibuya—Constitutional Democratic Party events are being held without proper road-use permits. I checked at the police box. As expected, no permit was issued. I’m a supporter of the CDP, but I don’t think people who blatantly break the rules like this have any right to act as representatives of the citizens.”

His criticism extended further—to the issue of political slush funds, political fundraising parties, and even intimidation tactics by supporters in white shirts. Distrust and anger toward politics. And yet, dismissing the man’s shouting as mere complaining seemed too simplistic—many citizens had stopped and were closely watching the scene unfold.

Renhō’s opponents aren’t limited to the ruling party— This moment made that painfully clear. 

Aiming for empathy from middle-aged and older women

The Constitutional Democratic Party is presenting a “New Renhō.” Party leader Yoshihiko Noda (68) praised her for campaigning at 25 locations during the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and helping the party gain five additional seats, and said, “We want to harness her strength to expand the party’s presence nationwide.” Within the party, however, opinions are divided. Political journalist Akiko Azumi commented:

“In this speech, she didn’t shout or furrow her brow, and she smiled while dealing with the media. She even brought up stories from her student days, such as caring for her parents while struggling with illness, which highlighted the challenges many women of her age group face.

Rather than the sharp-edged Renhō or the fiercely critical Renhō, she was a Renhō trying to earn the empathy of middle-aged and older women. Some people found that likable, while others might have felt it blurred her image.”

Still, her drawing power, evident from the 1.28 million votes she received in the Tokyo governor’s race, is highly valued.

“Even so, her name recognition and communication skills are attractive assets, so there are few within the party who oppose her return. In the House of Councillors election, she’s expected to earn at least 300,000 votes. Many of the union-backed candidates the party is fielding are virtually unknown to the public, so having Renhō’s name on the ticket is definitely a plus,” the same source added.

With party support behind her, Renhō made a heartfelt appeal during her street speech:

“People called me a ghost lawmaker. But over the past year, I believe I’ve learned more than anyone what it means to stand by the voters. I don’t mind being called a drifter. Please, let me work in the Diet once more.”

As middle-aged women nodded quietly and mothers with children applauded, her words appeared to resonate, particularly with female voters. With the official campaign period beginning July 3 and voting set for the 20th, the curtain rises once again on the Reiwa-era “Renhō Theater.”