Key Facts
• Senate election scheduled for July 3 announcement, July 20 voting.
• Yamagata Prefecture: incumbent Michiya Haga (67) vs. three newcomers.
• Candidates: Michiya Haga (Independent), Rika Ouchi (Liberal Democratic Party, 62), Osamu Mitsuidera (Communist Party, 45), Tomoaki Sato (Sanseitō, 52).
• June 15: Haga’s rally in Yamagata City drew 1,000 attendees.
• Haga endorsed by Constitutional Democratic Party, Democratic Party for the People, and Rengo Yamagata.
• June 1: Ouchi declared candidacy at LDP prefectural meeting, backed by 24 municipal leaders.
• Ouchi aims to secure LDP’s first win in Yamagata since 2016.
• Governor Yoshimura sent support messages to both Haga and Ouchi.
• Communist Party fields Mitsuidera, citing lack of cooperation from Haga.
• Sato campaigns for abolishing consumption tax and addressing economic issues.
• Campaigns intensify as regular Diet session ends on June 20.
Summary
The Yamagata Prefecture Senate election sees incumbent Michiya Haga facing three challengers: Rika Ouchi (LDP), Osamu Mitsuidera (Communist Party), and Tomoaki Sato (Sanseitō). Campaigns are heating up ahead of the July 3 announcement and July 20 vote. Haga, endorsed by multiple parties, seeks re-election, while Ouchi aims to break the LDP’s losing streak since 2016. Governor Yoshimura’s neutral stance adds intrigue, as Mitsuidera and Sato push distinct agendas. The election highlights diverse political priorities in Yamagata.
