2023 Japanese by-elections

In 2023, by-elections were held in Japan in order to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, the two houses of the National Diet of Japan.[1]

April by-elections

On 23 April 2023, 5 by-elections were held together with the second phase of the unified local elections (municipal elections except designated major cities), including Yamaguchi 4th district, the seat of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was assassinaed on 8 July 2022.[2]

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Japan Innovation Party both made 1 pickup, flipping an Independent and a Democratic Party for the People seat respectively.[3]

Constituency House Outgoing MP Party Member elected Party Reason
Chiba 5th district House of Representatives Kentaro Sonoura Independent (elected LDP) Arfiya Eri LDP Resigned on 19 December 2022[4]
Wakayama 1st district House of Representatives Shuhei Kishimoto [ja] DPP Yumi Hayashi JIP Resigned on 1 September 2022[5]
Yamaguchi 2nd district House of Representatives Nobuo Kishi LDP Nobuchiyo Kishi [ja] LDP Resigned on 3 February 2023[6]
Yamaguchi 4th district House of Representatives Shinzo Abe LDP Shinji Yoshida LDP Assassinated on 8 July 2022[7]
Ōita at-large district House of Councillors Kiyoshi Adachi Independent Aki Shirasaka [ja] LDP Resigned on 10 March 2023 [8]

October by-elections

The October by-elections were held on 22 October 2023 after Nagasaki 4th district representative Seigo Kitamura's death[9] and the resignation of Tokushima-Kōchi at-large district representative Kojiro Takano after beating his secretary.[10] Both representatives were members of the Liberal Democratic Party.[11]

The LDP lost 1 upper house seat to Independent Hajime Hirota who was backed by opposition parties Constitutional Democratic, Communist, and Social Democratic.[12]

Constituency House Outgoing MP Party Member elected Party Reason
Nagasaki 4th district House of Representatives Seigo Kitamura LDP Yōzō Kaneko [ja] LDP Died on 20 May 2023[13]
Tokushima-Kōchi at-large district House of Councillors Kōjirō Takano LDP Hajime Hirota Independent Resigned on 22 June 2023[11]

References

  1. ^ "Upcoming April by-elections likely litmus test for Kishida's leadership". The Japan Times. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. ^ McCurry, Justin (2023-04-10). "Japan ruling party triumphs in local elections despite criticism over links to Moonies". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. ^ Johnston, Eric (2023-04-24). "Kishida rules out snap poll after LDP wins big in Sunday by-elections". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. ^ "LDP lawmaker Kentaro Sonoura to resign over political funds scandal". The Japan Times. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  5. ^ "岸本周平氏の辞職許可 和歌山知事選出馬へ—衆院：時事ドットコム". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  6. ^ Johnston, Eric (2023-02-27). "Yamaguchi by-election puts spotlight on dynastic politics". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ "Shinzo Abe: How the former Japan PM's assassination unfolded". BBC News. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  8. ^ "安達参院議員の辞職許可 | 政治 | 全国海外 | 神戸新聞NEXT". www.kobe-np.co.jp (in Japanese). 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  9. ^ "令和5年10月22日執行 衆議院小選挙区選出議員補欠選挙（長崎県第4区） | 長崎県". www.pref.nagasaki.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  10. ^ "秘書殴った自民・高野光二郎参院議員が辞職、補欠選挙は１０月２２日". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  11. ^ a b "秘書殴った自民・高野光二郎参院議員が辞職、補欠選挙は１０月２２日". Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  12. ^ 日本放送協会. "参院補選 徳島高知 | NHK選挙WEB". www.nhk.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  13. ^ Nagasaki prefectural government, prefectural electoral commission announcements: 令和5年10月22日執行予定 衆議院小選挙区選出議員補欠選挙（長崎県第4区）, retrieved 2023/7/13.

See also