Key Facts
• July 3, 2025: Japan’s Upper House election campaign begins.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his first speech in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Hyogo electoral district has 3 seats, with 13 candidates competing.
• Independent candidate Fumio Izumi, former Akashi mayor, is widely popular.
• Izumi’s projected votes: 800,000–900,000, potentially securing a top position.
• Ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito) faces internal competition.
• Historical data: 2016–2022, LDP, Komeito, and Japan Innovation Party shared seats.
• 2019: LDP’s Hiroyuki Kada and Komeito’s Mitsuo Takahashi narrowly won seats.
• Komeito struggles without support from retired LDP leader Toshihiro Nikai.
• Japan Innovation Party faces declining momentum in Hyogo and Osaka.
• Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito remains neutral, avoiding candidate endorsements.
• Other candidates include representatives from the Communist Party, Reiwa Shinsengumi, and NHK Party.
Summary
The 2025 Upper House election in Hyogo Prefecture is shaping up to be a fierce contest. With three seats available, 13 candidates, including major party representatives and independents, are vying for victory. Independent candidate Fumio Izumi, a former mayor with high name recognition, is expected to secure a significant number of votes, potentially surpassing 800,000. The ruling coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, faces internal competition and challenges from other parties. Historical trends show these parties sharing seats, but this year’s race is unpredictable. Meanwhile, the Japan Innovation Party struggles to maintain its influence, and Governor Motohiko Saito has chosen to remain neutral. The election highlights the shifting dynamics of Japanese politics in a critical battleground.
