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2009/07/12
DPJ wins impressive victory in Tokyo Metropolitan election, gaining 55 seats
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On July 12, polling for the 127-seat Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly took place. The DPJ succeeded in dramatically increasing the number of seats it holds from 34 to 55 (DPJ official candidates 54, DPJ-backed independent 1), and became the largest party in the chamber. The party also succeeded in achieving its objective of forcing the ruling LDP and Komeito parties who back Governor Ishihara to lose their majority, the LDP ending up with 38 seats and Komeito with 23.
After receiving reports of the general trend in polling, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada held a late night press conference at party headquarters, commenting, “This has the makings of a splendid result. It is a result of the effort made by many, starting with President Hatoyama, Acting President Kan, and DPJ Tokyo Secretary General Kan Suzuki, Public Relations Committee Chair Renho and Election Campaign Committee Chair Koichi Kato. The residents of Tokyo have delivered a splendid result. I would like to convey my appreciation, as well as my feeling that this has stiffened our resolve.” Okada also commented on the new set-up for the administration of Tokyo, saying, “Governor Ishihara will also have to get in the habit of listening to the Assembly. The Assembly will fulfil its function of a body acting as a check on the Governor” stressing that the DPJ as a party would ensure that the Metropolitan Assembly fulfils its true function.
When asked about the reasons for the victory, Okada replied, “The DPJ’s Tokyo branch selected good candidates and we called for reform. Furthermore, the residents of Tokyo delivered a resounding “No” to the delaying of dissolution of the Diet and the confusion within the LDP at the national level.” He also expressed the opinion that “The residents of Tokyo have given Prime Minister Aso a red card.”
Okada was also asked what influence the result would have on the forthcoming general election. He responded, “It will give us courage. However, I cannot say simply that this [result] will have a direct connection to the House of Representatives election. Having won, we will stiffen our resolve, and continue to fight determinedly.”
The polling rate was 54.49%, 10.5% higher than the previous Tokyo Metropolitan election.
In the 7 single-seat constituencies, 5 official DPJ candidates and 1 DPJ-backed candidate were elected, providing the driving force for the DPJ’s victory. The party also succeeded in having multiple candidates elected in the multi-seat constituencies of Shinagawa-ku, Ota-ku, Setagaya-ku, Nakano-ku, Suginami-ku, Kita-ku, Itabashi-ku, Nerima-ku, Adachi-ku, Katsushika-ku. Edogawa-ku, and Hachioji-shi.
In addition, two candidates from the Tokyo Seikatsusha Network who were endorsed by the DPJ were also elected.
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