Japan Press Weekly

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2016 November 2 - 8 TOP3 [JCP]

JCP doubles its seats in scandal-rocked Toyama City Assembly

The Japanese Communist Party doubled its seats to four in the Toyama City Assembly as a result of the by-election on November 6 and gained the right to introduce bills. It is the first time since 1979 that the JCP secured four seats in the assembly.

The by-election took place following the resignations of assemblypersons involved in money scandals.

In the last few months, 12 of the 40 assemblypersons, mostly members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, have resigned one after another over scandals in which they illegally received political affairs research allowances. The JCP’s two incumbent assemblypersons have taken the lead in pursuing their responsibility for wrongdoings.

Seeking to add to its seats, the JCP local committee fielded two candidates in the by-election. During the campaign, the two candidates pointed out to potential voters that if the JCP assemblypersons’ group gets the power to introduce bills, they will be able to propose setting up a special commission based on Article 100 of the Local Government Law to authorize a thorough investigation into the corruption. Their appeal won the support of local residents, including conservatives.

Facing public criticism, the LDP did not run candidates in the by-election. The party supported six conservative independent candidates, but one of them was defeated.

Past related article:
> Toyama City Assembly to hold by-election over money scandals [September 23, 2016]