Key Facts
• June 23, 2025: Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito held a press conference post-election.
• Komeito fielded 22 candidates in the Tokyo Assembly election; only 19 were elected.
• First time in 36 years Komeito failed to achieve full candidate success since 1989.
• Lost in Shinjuku Ward, home to Komeito headquarters and Soka Gakkai base, by 257 votes.
• Ota Ward saw two incumbent candidates lose, marking a “mutual defeat.”
• Komeito’s organizational strength weakened due to aging supporters.
• Previous 2021 general election saw Komeito lose 8 seats, with proportional votes at a record low of 5.96 million.
• Party leader cited insufficient campaigning and internal efforts as key reasons for losses.
• Upcoming Upper House election in one month adds pressure for party recovery.
• Internal dissatisfaction grows over Komeito’s continued support for the Liberal Democratic Party amid scandals.
• Rising influence of Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito noted in the election.
Summary
Komeito suffered a significant setback in the 2025 Tokyo Assembly election, securing only 19 out of 22 seats, marking its first failure to achieve full candidate success in 36 years. The loss in Shinjuku Ward, home to its headquarters and Soka Gakkai base, by a narrow 257 votes, shocked the party. Organizational challenges, including an aging supporter base, were highlighted as contributing factors. The party’s leader, Tetsuo Saito, acknowledged insufficient campaigning and internal efforts. With the Upper House election just a month away, Komeito faces mounting pressure to recover. Internal dissatisfaction over continued support for the scandal-plagued Liberal Democratic Party and the growing influence of other parties like the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito further complicate the party’s path forward.
