Campaigning Begins For Tokyo Assembly Election
Candidates for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly have kicked off a nine-day period of official campaigning. The assembly election is seen as a prelude to a Lower House election to be held later this year.
A total of 271 candidates are vying for 127 seats in 42 districts.
One focus is whether a local party called TOMIN First can remain the biggest force in the assembly. The party's special adviser is Governor Koike Yuriko. It is fielding 47 candidates.
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito are aiming to win a combined majority. The two parties are coalition partners in the central government. The LDP has 60 candidates, while Komeito has 23.
The Japanese Communist Party is fielding 31 candidates, and the Constitutional Democratic Party 28.
Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party has 13 candidates.
Tokyo Seikatsusha Network is fielding three candidates, and the Democratic Party for the People has four.
Sixty-two candidates are running with other groups or as independents.
The election comes as health experts are warning of a possible resurgence in coronavirus cases in the capital.
The candidates are expected to debate measures to contain the spread of infection, as well as the Tokyo Olympics.
The results could affect party strategy ahead of the next general election for the Lower House. The current term ends in late October. But Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide can call a snap election at any time before then.