Key Facts
• Four candidates are competing for one seat in Akita’s Upper House election.
• Candidates include NHK Party’s Yukihisa Honda (43), Satoshi Miwako (65) of the Sanseito Party, former LDP member Shoji Nakazumi (46), and independent incumbent Shizuka Terada (50).
• Akita has the highest population decline rate in Japan, a key election issue.
• Honda highlights severe depopulation and abandoned houses in rural areas.
• Satoshi attributes population decline to low wages and high child-rearing costs.
• Nakazumi emphasizes public concern and the need for collaborative policies.
• Terada criticizes ineffective regional revitalization and Tokyo-centric policies.
• Proposed solutions include wage increases, tax reforms, child-rearing support, and promoting women’s participation in decision-making.
• Voting for the Akita election is scheduled for July 20, 2025.
Summary
The Akita 2025 Upper House election sees four candidates vying for one seat, with population decline as a central issue. Akita’s population decline rate is the highest in Japan, prompting candidates to propose various solutions. Yukihisa Honda stresses the need for realistic population distribution strategies. Miwako Satoshi advocates for wage increases, tax reductions, and child-rearing subsidies. Shoji Nakazumi calls for collaborative efforts between local and national governments to address migration and education. Shizuka Terada emphasizes the importance of addressing gender equality and supporting young families. The election will take place on July 20, 2025.
