The Liberal Democratic Party's Tokyo Federation has begun coordinating to endorse Kiyoka Watanabe, a 34-year-old representative director of an NPO, as their second candidate for the Tokyo constituency in the summer Upper House election. This decision comes as the party has already confirmed the candidacy of Kenzou Mikami, the chairman of the Upper House Diet Members Association, for the same constituency.
On April 11, 2025, sources close to the situation revealed that the Tokyo Federation is moving forward with plans to support Watanabe, who is known for her work with an NPO that assists refugees in finding employment. However, this potential endorsement has sparked skepticism among some conservative members within the party.
Critics within the Liberal Democratic Party have raised concerns due to Watanabe's past criticisms of the party's administration. In news programs, she has been vocal about her discontent with the ruling party, and her previous statements regarding former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have left some party members uneasy. One notable quote attributed to Watanabe states, "The Abe administration gave power to fools," which has not gone unnoticed by her critics.
Yuko Arimura, a former minister in charge of women's empowerment, expressed her apprehensions on April 13, 2025, through a post on X (formerly Twitter). She shared an image of a post that Watanabe allegedly made in February 2014, which read, "What will happen if we give power to fools? The current Abe administration." Arimura questioned the appropriateness of endorsing someone who has made such derogatory remarks about a former prime minister, whom many within the party still respect.
Arimura remarked, "Many of us still publicly insult former Prime Minister Abe, whom we admire and respect, so the Liberal Democratic Party has fallen so far that it will make someone who is a candidate for public office, and it should not abandon conservative support." This sentiment reflects a broader concern among conservative factions within the party about the implications of endorsing a candidate with such a controversial past.
In addition to Arimura, Hiroshi Yamada, a member of the House of Councillors, also weighed in on the matter. He echoed Arimura's sentiments, stating, "I would like to ask the person herself why she is running from the Liberal Democratic Party, which she was so vocally critical of, and what does Prime Minister Ishiba think of this person's remarks? For me, this is nothing but a strong sense of discomfort." Yamada's comments highlight the internal conflict within the party as it navigates the complexities of candidate endorsements.
The Tokyo Federation has faced challenges in filling the candidate slots for the upcoming election, particularly after former Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa, who had been nominated in the previous election, ran in a by-election last October. This has led to the current solicitation of candidates, with the selection committee meeting on April 11, 2025, resulting in a decision to consider Watanabe as a viable option for the party.
If Watanabe's endorsement is finalized, she will join Mikami as the second candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party in the Tokyo constituency, which has six seats available in the summer election. This development is particularly significant as it reflects the party's efforts to diversify its candidate pool while also addressing the concerns raised by its conservative base.
Watanabe, originally from Hamamatsu City, has made a name for herself as the representative director of WELgee, an NPO dedicated to helping refugees find employment opportunities. Her work has garnered attention, and she is also recognized for her role as a commentator on TBS's Sunday Morning program, where she has shared her insights on various social issues.
As the summer Upper House election approaches, the Liberal Democratic Party will need to carefully consider its candidate strategy in light of the internal dissent surrounding Watanabe's potential nomination. The party's ability to balance its conservative values with the need for fresh perspectives will be crucial in determining its success in the upcoming election.
In conclusion, the endorsement of Kiyoka Watanabe as a candidate for the Tokyo constituency raises important questions about the direction of the Liberal Democratic Party and its relationship with its conservative base. As the party navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how Watanabe's candidacy will be received by voters and whether it will impact the party's standing in the upcoming election.
