Tokyo, Japan - Recent

Support for Japan's main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), and other parties out of power is growing steadily ahead of the general election scheduled for Oct 27, according to a Kyodo News poll on Sunday.

Results of the nationwide telephone poll conducted from Saturday to Sunday showed that 22.6 percent of respondents said they plan to vote for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the proportional representation segment of the election and 14.1 percent of respondents said they support the CDPJ, narrowing the gap between the LDP and the CDPJ to 8.5 percentage points from 14 points in the last survey.

Major media outlets in Japan predicted on Oct 17 that the LDP may lose its sole majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years due to problems including the slush fund scandal.

Before the dissolution of the 465-member lower house, the LDP held 256 seats. Together with its coalition partner, the Komeito party, the ruling coalition controlled 288 seats. To retain its majority, the coalition needs to secure at least 233 seats in the forthcoming election.

The lower house of Japan's parliament was officially dissolved on Oct 9, setting the stage for the general election slated to be held on Oct 27.

The general election will be the first since the LDP's political funds scandal surfaced in late 2023.

In an effort to address public outrage, the LDP decided not to endorse 12 lawmakers embroiled in the political funds scandal as official candidates in the upcoming election.

Shotlist:
Tokyo, Japan - Recent:
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024
1. Various of Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, signs, security personnel;
Tokyo, Japan - Recent
2. Various of National Diet building, national flag;
FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
3. Various of National Diet building, national flag;
4. Sign reading "National Diet Main Gate";
5. Japanese national flag;
Tokyo, Japan - Recent
6. Various of pedestrians.

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