Key Facts
• July 1, 2025: Shiori Yamao announced candidacy for Tokyo Upper House election.
• Election schedule: Official campaign starts July 3, voting on July 20.
• May 14, 2025: Yamao was initially endorsed by the Democratic Party for the People (DPP).
• June 11, 2025: DPP revoked her endorsement citing lack of trust and understanding.
• June 12, 2025: Yamao resigned from DPP, questioning its governance capabilities.
• Yamao emphasized her campaign is “completely independent” with no sponsors or organizational backing.
• She denied running out of anger, stating her focus is on personal accountability.
• Yamao previously won a 2017 election as an independent after leaving the Democratic Party.
• She ruled out expecting support from the DPP for her current campaign.
• Yamao aims to challenge the election without any political party’s support.
Summary
Shiori Yamao, a former member of the House of Representatives, declared her candidacy for the Tokyo Upper House election on July 1, 2025. Running as an independent, Yamao emphasized her campaign’s lack of organizational or financial backing, describing it as a fight for personal accountability. Previously endorsed by the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), her candidacy faced turbulence when the party revoked her endorsement on June 11, citing trust issues. Yamao subsequently resigned from the DPP, questioning its governance but clarified her campaign is not driven by anger. Known for her 2017 independent election victory, Yamao reiterated her commitment to running without party support, focusing on addressing societal issues independently.
