Key Facts
• July 4: NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana held a campaign speech at Akashi Station.
• Hyogo electoral district has 3 seats, with 8 national parties and political groups competing.
• Candidates include Fumio Izumi (independent, endorsed by Constitutional Democratic Party) and others.
• Hyogo police enforced strict security, deploying officers every 5 meters and stationing patrol cars.
• Tachibana wore a red hat, likening himself to Donald Trump, and referenced past attacks on him.
• He criticized Fumio Izumi for returning to politics after resigning as a politician in 2021.
• Audience reactions included heckling, which Tachibana addressed calmly.
• Tachibana declared support for Governor Saito and pledged to assist him from the National Diet.
• He expressed confidence in winning and emphasized plans to negotiate with Donald Trump as Japan’s representative.
Summary
NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana delivered a campaign speech on July 4 at Akashi Station, Hyogo, ahead of the July 20 Upper House election. The Hyogo electoral district, with three seats available, has drawn significant attention due to the participation of eight national parties and various political groups. Tachibana, under heavy police security, criticized independent candidate Fumio Izumi for re-entering politics after previously resigning. He likened himself to Donald Trump, citing shared experiences of attacks, and pledged to support Governor Saito from the National Diet. Despite audience heckling, Tachibana remained composed and expressed confidence in his election victory, outlining plans to negotiate with Trump as Japan’s representative. The event highlighted heightened political tensions and strict security measures.
