[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] In the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, considered a "general election barometer," the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito failed to secure a majority. As a result, the Suga Yoshihide administration, which was aiming for reappointment through the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election this fall, inevitably suffered a setback.
According to major Japanese media such as Kyodo News and NHK on the 5th, in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election held the previous day (total 127 seats), the LDP won 33 seats, becoming the largest party.
However, out of the total 127 seats, the ruling LDP and coalition partner Komeito secured only 23 seats, with the coalition holding a total of 56 seats.
Following the LDP, the "Tokyo Citizens First Party," which caused a sensation and rose to become the largest party in the previous 2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, won 31 seats, narrowly becoming the second-largest party.
The Tokyo Citizens First Party was founded four years ago, led by Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko.
Other results included the Communist Party with 19 seats, the Constitutional Democratic Party with 15 seats, independents with 4 seats, and the Japan Restoration Party with 1 seat.
The LDP launched an all-out campaign since the election began on the 25th of last month to avenge their defeat four years ago, but the combined seats with Komeito totaled 56, falling short of a majority.
The biggest issue in this election was the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics starting on the 23rd and whether spectators would be allowed.
The Tokyo Citizens First Party pledged to hold the Olympics without spectators, the Constitutional Democratic Party advocated for postponement or cancellation, and the Communist Party called for cancellation.
The LDP largely avoided mentioning the Tokyo Olympics to evade controversy, but the recent spread of COVID-19 in Tokyo appears to have worked against the ruling party.
Compared to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election four years ago, the LDP increased its seats by 8, but still secured the second-lowest number of seats in history.
It is interpreted that public criticism of the Suga administration, which is pushing for a spectator-attended Olympics amid the COVID-19 spread, influenced the election.
Kyodo News evaluated, "The combined seats of the LDP and coalition partner Komeito falling short of a majority is expected to be a blow to the Suga administration."
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