Key Facts
• The Kagoshima Upper House election will be announced on July 3, with voting on July 20.
• Three candidates participated in a live debate on June 29 hosted by MBC.
• Participants included Shumitsu Sonoda (68, LDP), Tomomi Otsuji (44, Independent), and Shunichi Makino (39, Sanseitō).
• Sonoda emphasized responsibility and local policies as key to improving politics.
• Otsuji highlighted regional disparities and the struggles of local industries.
• Makino criticized 30 years of austerity and proposed tax cuts and strategic investments.
• Inflation measures proposed:
– Makino: Reduce consumption tax by 5% or abolish it entirely.
– Sonoda: Immediate cash payments for those in need.
– Otsuji: Zero consumption tax on food and sustained fiscal spending.
• Communist Party candidate Makoto Matsuzaki withdrew to support Otsuji.
• The election will decide one seat in the Kagoshima constituency.
Summary
In a live debate on June 29, three candidates for the Kagoshima Upper House election discussed their policies, focusing on inflation measures and regional issues. Shumitsu Sonoda (LDP) stressed responsibility and local policies, Tomomi Otsuji (Independent) addressed regional disparities, and Shunichi Makino (Sanseitō) proposed tax cuts and strategic investments. Inflation solutions varied, with Sonoda advocating cash payments, Otsuji suggesting zero tax on food, and Makino calling for broader tax reductions. The Communist Party withdrew its candidate to support Otsuji. The election, set for July 20, will determine one seat in the Kagoshima constituency.
