Key Facts
• June 13: Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election campaign officially begins.
• Sanae Takaichi, former Minister of Economic Security, supports LDP candidates.
• Takaichi surpassed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in party votes during September 2024 leadership race.
• Numerous support requests received by Takaichi’s office for election speeches.
• First campaign speech held in Suginami Ward, attracting a large crowd.
• Candidate in Suginami Ward, known as “Mr. Disaster Prevention,” emphasizes earthquake preparedness.
• Takaichi highlights disaster prevention and urban resilience in her speech.
• Suginami Ward Councilor Yukitaka Watanabe praises Takaichi’s ability to draw audiences.
• Former LDP lawmaker Akimasa Ishikawa acknowledges Takaichi’s gratitude to the candidate.
• Prime Minister Ishiba not invited to campaign due to differing policy views.
Summary
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election campaign began on June 13, with Sanae Takaichi, former Minister of Economic Security, actively supporting Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates. Takaichi, who outperformed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the 2024 party leadership race, has received numerous requests for campaign speeches. Her first appearance in Suginami Ward drew a large crowd, where she emphasized disaster prevention and urban resilience. The local candidate, known as “Mr. Disaster Prevention,” also highlighted earthquake preparedness. Takaichi’s ability to attract audiences was praised by Suginami Ward Councilor Yukitaka Watanabe. Former LDP lawmaker Akimasa Ishikawa noted Takaichi’s gratitude to the candidate for past support. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ishiba was not invited to campaign events due to differing policy perspectives.
