ReutersAfter a tumultuous few years for the ruling party, including a “cascade” of scandals, widespread voter apathy and record low approval ratings, Japanese voters head to the polls today for a snap general election.
The election was announced three days after Shigeru Ishiba was elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and before he was officially sworn in as prime minister.
The decision was made despite the Liberal Democratic Party’s approval rating falling below 20% earlier this year following corruption scandals in political fundraising.
But the Liberal Democratic Party remains its strongest competitor to an opposition party that has been unable to unite or convince voters that it is a viable option for governing.
Before the dissolution of parliament, the main opposition party’s approval rating was only 6.6%.
“It’s very difficult to make a decision to choose a political party. I think people are losing interest,” Miyuki Fujisaki, a long-time Liberal Democratic Party supporter who works in the care home sector, told the BBC ahead of voting opening.
Although the Liberal Democratic Party has a problem with corruption allegations, she says, “The opposition parties are also completely invisible.”
“Sure they complain a lot, but it’s not at all clear what they want to do,” said the 66-year-old.
Miyuki Fujisaki “I can’t decide who to vote for”
Despite the apathy, Japanese politics have moved at a fast pace in recent months.
Shigeru Ishiba was appointed prime minister through a vote by the ruling party after his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, who had served as prime minister since 2021, made the surprise decision to resign in August.
The move to hold elections comes as the Liberal Democratic Party is desperately trying to restore its tarnished image among the public. Ishiba, a longtime politician and former defense minister, described it as a “people’s judgment.”
But it is unclear whether it will be enough to restore confidence in the Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in power almost continuously since 1955.
The reputation of the ruling party has been damaged by a series of scandals. Chief among them is the party’s relationship with the controversial Unification Church, which has been described as a “cult” by critics, and the level of influence the Unification Church has over lawmakers.
Then, a political funding corruption case was discovered. Japanese prosecutors are investigating dozens of Liberal Democratic Party members on suspicion of embezzling proceeds from political fundraising events. These allegations amounted to millions of dollars and led to the dismantling of powerful factions that were the backbone of party politics.
“What a pathetic state the ruling party is in,” said Michiko Hamada, who had traveled to Urawa Station on the outskirts of Tokyo for an opposition party election rally.
“That’s what I feel most about. This is tax evasion and it should not be tolerated.”
She felt this was especially bad at a time when people in Japan are suffering from high prices. Wages have remained unchanged for 30 years, dubbed the “lost 30 years,” but prices have risen at the fastest pace in nearly half a century over the past two years.
As voters prepare to go to the polls this month, thousands of food items, as well as everyday essentials such as mail, medicine, electricity and gas, have seen further price hikes.
“I’m paying 10,000 to 20,000 yen more ($65 to $130, 50 to 100 pounds) more per month for food than I used to,” Hamada said.
“And I don’t buy the things I used to buy anymore. I try to save money, but it still costs money. Things like fruit are very expensive.”
She’s not alone in her concerns about high prices. Chie Shimizu, a pensioner, says she now has to work part-time to make ends meet.
“Our hourly wage has increased a little, but it’s not commensurate with the prices,” she told the BBC while buying food at a food stall at Urawa Station. “Everything is expensive at regular stores, so I come to places like this to look for cheap and good things.”
Shimizu hasn’t voted in years, but she might vote this time, but she doesn’t know which candidate or party she’ll vote for.
“I can’t find anyone I want to vote for. I feel like there’s no one I can trust as our leader. I wonder about the people who became members of Congress because of their own desires.”
Against this backdrop, it may appear that Mr. Ishiba has taken a political gamble. His party held 247 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, while his coalition partner Komeito had 32 seats. A party needs 233 seats to control the lower house, known as the National Diet.
There are now concerns that Komeito will not be able to achieve that seat again, while the main opposition party, which won 98 seats in the last parliament, is gaining momentum as it begins to gather support from voters ahead of Sunday’s general election. It’s starting.
“I think the Liberal Democratic Party has dug itself a very deep hole to climb out of. It doesn’t enjoy the public’s trust, so why should it? Scandal after scandal is coming.”Temple University Geoff Kingston, professor of Asian studies and history at Japan, told the BBC.
But he does not think this will necessarily lead to the party’s electoral defeat.
“I think they (the Liberal Democratic Party) are worried about losing a narrow seat. There are questions about how effective they will be as a coalition partner with Komeito,” Professor Kingston said.
If they manage to emerge victorious, Miyuki Fujisaki, who works in the care home sector, warns that change will require more than just lip service.
“We want them to show us what they plan to do so that this (scandal) never happens again,” she said. “They need to prove it. They don’t just tell them to do well during elections.”
