Despite LDP's Big Win... Kishida Maintains Composed Expression with a Stern Look and Black Tie

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In the Japanese House of Councillors election, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a landslide victory, securing a majority of seats on its own, but Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's expression remained stern. On the evening of the 10th, when the election was held, Kishida, dressed in a suit with a black tie, came to the LDP headquarters and attached a pale pink rose next to the names of the winners instead of the bright red roses that signify confirmed election victories. This reflected his awareness of the assassination and death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which occurred two days before the election.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 11th, around 9:45 p.m. on the 10th, Kishida visited the vote counting center set up inside the LDP headquarters and, together with party executives, observed a 30-second moment of silence for former Prime Minister Abe. Kishida held the pink rose and pressed his lips tightly as he placed it next to the winners' names, and inside the headquarters, only applause was heard without cheers. Kishida said, "Since democracy is being threatened (by the shooting incident), I felt that we had to somehow complete the election."

Since former Prime Minister Abe was a leading figure in Japanese politics, this atmosphere during the vote counting process seemed to permeate the entire Japanese political sphere. Toshimitsu Motegi, LDP Secretary-General, also maintained a stiff expression throughout and said, "We were able to achieve a great victory. I want to report that good results came out for former Prime Minister Abe," according to Jiji Press. At the headquarters of the coalition partner Komeito, a 30-second moment of silence was also held for former Prime Minister Abe, and while the coalition positively evaluated the ruling party securing a majority in this election, their expressions were also somber, foreign media on site reported.

Kei Sato, the LDP candidate from Narashi, where former Prime Minister Abe last campaigned before his death, also succeeded in being re-elected but could not smile. The Mainichi Shimbun reported, "Sato watched the vote count at his office with only election committee executives and no supporters," adding, "He held a press conference to talk about his aspirations, but refrained from ceremonies such as three cheers or presenting bouquets." Immediately after winning, Sato said, "I have no joy at all. I want to convey the results to former Prime Minister Abe."

Meanwhile, the ruling LDP achieved a landslide victory in the House of Councillors election. According to NHK, out of the 125 seats newly elected this time, the ruling coalition secured 76 seats (LDP 63 seats, coalition partner Komeito 13 seats). The LDP alone secured a majority of the newly elected seats. Combining this with the ruling party seats not up for election this time (70 seats: LDP 56 seats, Komeito 14 seats), they have already secured 146 seats, surpassing the majority of the entire House of Councillors (125 seats or more).