Tokyo Election Campaigns To Start
Campaigning for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election will soon begin. The event is seen as a bellwether for a Lower House general election scheduled later this year.
All 127 assembly seats are up for grabs across the capital's 42 electoral districts. Residents will vote on July 4.
One focus is whether local political party TOMIN First can remain the biggest force in the assembly. The party's special advisor is Governor Koike Yuriko.
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito hope to win a majority together. The two parties are coalition partners in the national government.
The election comes as Tokyo prepares to host the summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Candidates are expected to debate the organizing committee's plan to allow domestic spectators at venues as well as anti-coronavirus measures.
The results could affect party strategies for the next general election for the Lower House of the Diet.
The term for members there ends in late October.
But Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide can call a snap election any time before that.