Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2015 April 15 - 21 [POLITICS]

2nd half of nationwide local elections kicks off

Official campaigns for the second half of nationwide local elections started on April 19 with the announcement of elections of city mayors and assemblies. Two days later, elections of town and village mayors and assemblies were also announced. Voting will take place on the same day, April 26.

The Japanese Communist Party is running 849 candidates in city and Tokyo ward assembly elections and 316 in town and village assembly races. It aims to make another major advance following the first-half round that took place on April 12.

At the start of election campaigns, JCP candidates showed their resolve to stand up to the Abe government’s runaway policies such as the move to introduce war legislation and called for improvement of welfare services provided by municipalities.

In Hirakata City in Osaka, 46 people are contesting 36 seats in the assembly. The JCP is working to increase its current three seats to five.

In street speeches, the five JCP candidates pledged to work to lower the National Health Insurance premiums, have the city stop reducing nursing-care services, and work to set up a subsidiary program for housing renovation. JCP members of the House of Councilors Daimon Mikishi and Tatsumi Kotaro gave speeches in support.

With the intent to quash any advance of the JCP, conservative contenders, including those from the governing Liberal Democratic and Komei parties, are intensifying anti-communist campaigns across the country.

Past related articles:
> As a result of first half of local elections, JCP establishes its presence in all prefectural assemblies [April 14, 2015]
> JCP issues statement on its major gains in 1st half of local elections [April 14, 2015]