The Tokyo’s governor election is over. The incumbent governor Koike won overwhelmingly, while a total votes gained by challengers of Mr. Utsunomiya and Mr. Yamamoto did occupy only 40% of those of the winner. If the number of ballots obtained by a rightist Ishin-recommended candidate, Mr. Ono, is added to that of Koike, the ruling bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito as well as the Ishin party dominated the electoral battle. Meanwhile, however, the opposition bloc has fostered its unity to a certain extent, though it is incomplete. Our task is how to open a path.

LET’S HAVE COMMON, EXPLICIT GOALS!

The election campaigns were unusual; rallies and street speeches were restricted, while the incumbent governor appeared everyday on media outlets, and no TV debates were held. Just for several days before the ballot day, the number of infection cases increased, which made the electorate uneasy as they thought the second wave of disease had come down. No concrete solutions were presented by the Tokyo authorities. By-elections were fought simultaneously in the four constituencies, in which candidates supported by the ruling bloc had victory.

Pay attention to votes of the Ishin

The Tokyo election has eloquently revealed phenomena that prevail in the country: as the support rate of the Abe government has fallen to some 30%, the LDP did not lose popularity, the Ishin party has grown, and the largest opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), sinks.

Candidate Ono, who decided to run a moment before the election with a support from the Ishin party, has had an enough number of ballots to be elected in the state level elections, enjoying more votes than those of candidates Utsunomiya and Yamamoto, in particular, in the Chiyoda and Minato Wards where rich people reside. His appeal may have reached certain strata of unsatisfied voters, who, maybe, are a little different from Ishin-supporters of the Kansai-Osaka region. We must be cautious! Koike, a rightist and non- LDP’s candidate, has held almost 30% of ballots that should have flown into the CDP. That means those who dislike the LDP have chosen the rightist candidate.

CDP exhibits a little change

The constitutional opposition camp, too, has enjoyed outcomes: a solid bond was successfully founded in almost all the administrative units between opposite political parties and civic organizations. Many worked enthusiastically in the campaign offices. The CDP often stands a bit apart from the Communist Party on the local assembly election level, but this time the CDP actively cooperated to push Candidate Utsunomiya.

The spread of the new virus has disclosed disparities in people’s lives, deterioration of healthcare and harmful consequences from privatization of the public sector. Both parliamentary and local assembly members made similar speeches in the streets during the campaign. Though it could not give up a ‘small government’ strategy, the CDP has changed a bit thanks to thrusts from people who lead a harder life.

The CDP does not represent a counter-offense of the ruling LDP. It is because the party does not express a clear stance on redistribution of incomes and reduction of the consumption tax rate. Changes yielded during the election must be integrated as a universal platform of the opposition forces. Results must be well finalized and shared to be useful in winning in the coming general elections.

Consumption tax rate to be 5%

The representative of the Reiwa party, Mr. Yamamoto, succeeded in responding to anger of the so-called lost generations whose livelihoods have been ruined. He should be welcomed into the joint struggle. Though disputes arose over his pledges during the campaign, his assertion to ‘get back consumption tax to 5%’ can be shared broadly. An agreement is likely, if the CDP leadership makes a decision.

Foreseeing the after-corona era, Governor Koike’s group takes initiative to reorganize the political structure to favor Big Businesses, dealing tacitly with the leading bloc and the Ishin.

We, defenders of the constitution, must continue struggling.

July 21, 2020