Affairs upon Affairs upon Affairs... What Is Happening in a Japanese Political Party?

A current lawmaker dated a woman while hiding his marriage and real name
On the day of his apology, rumors emerge about a former lawmaker with an affair history running for office
The party leader also had an affair with a former gravure idol
Japanese media questions: "Can a party with an image of affairs become the leading opposition?"

Before reports of an affair were published, Masaki Hiraiwa, a member of the People's Democratic Party, admitted to the affair and apologized (left), along with Yuichiro Tamaki, the party leader who was previously involved in an affair scandal. Official website of Masaki Hiraiwa

A political party in Japan has become embroiled in controversy after being labeled as a "party of affairs" at an unexpected time.

On April 22, Daily Shincho reported on "how far the Japanese public will tolerate the People's Democratic Party, which is full of affairs." According to the report, the People's Democratic Party has seen its party leader, a current lawmaker, and a prospective candidate for election all become involved in extramarital affair scandals. First, House of Representatives member Masaki Hiraiwa posted an apology on his official website on this day, admitting to a past affair. This was a preemptive apology after the weekly magazine Shukan Gendai began investigating the matter on April 20.

Hiraiwa stated, "The coverage concerns the fact that, in the past, I concealed both my real name and marital status while dating a woman. It is true that I was married about four years ago but did not disclose this fact while dating, and it is also true that I did not even reveal my real name to her." He continued, "All of this was the result of my carelessness and foolishness, and I deeply regret and reflect on the serious emotional pain I have caused to the woman I dated, as well as to my wife and family."

Just a few hours after Hiraiwa posted his apology, at around 5 p.m. on April 22, another news story related to the People's Democratic Party became a hot topic. The main figure was Shiori Kanno (formerly known as Shiori Yamau), a former lawmaker who is now working as a lawyer. Local media reported that Kanno had decided to run as a proportional representation candidate for the People's Democratic Party in this summer's House of Councillors election. She was originally a member of the House of Representatives for the People's Democratic Party, but after announcing she would not run in the 2021 general election, she switched to practicing law. In September 2017, when she was a member of the Democratic Party, Shukan Bunshun reported on an alleged affair between Kanno and a younger lawyer, including detailed accounts of their meetings, but she did not admit to the affair.

The People's Democratic Party's affair scandals would not be complete without mentioning party leader Yuichiro Tamaki. In November last year, the weekly magazine Flash reported that Tamaki had been in an extramarital relationship with a woman who was both a gravure idol and a former tourism ambassador for Takamatsu City. Tamaki acknowledged that the report was "largely true," and as a result, he was suspended from party duties for three months. Daily Shincho commented, "Although the People's Democratic Party enjoys support for its policies, it cannot shake off the image of being filled with politicians who have a history of affairs," and questioned, "Can such a party truly emerge as the leading opposition party in this summer's House of Councillors election?"