Key Facts
• The House of Councillors election will be held on July 20, 2025.
• Aomori’s population fell below 1.15 million as of June 1, 2025.
• Approximately 19,000 people left Aomori in the past year.
• Five candidates are running in the Aomori election district:
– Motomu Takizawa (Liberal Democratic Party, incumbent, 66)
– Tamami Fukushi (Constitutional Democratic Party, newcomer, 60)
– Tsutomu Kato (Sanseitō, newcomer, 65)
– Yuko Ogino (Japanese Communist Party, newcomer, 33)
– Akira Sasaki (NHK Party, newcomer, 53)
• Takizawa emphasizes local industry promotion, job creation, and infrastructure development.
• Fukushi advocates for decentralization and leveraging regional diversity.
• Kato proposes monthly child allowances of ¥100,000 and full infertility treatment coverage.
• Ogino focuses on raising minimum wages and reducing youth outflow.
• Sasaki highlights the importance of advancing high-tech industries, citing South Korea and Taiwan.
• Voting and same-day ballot counting will occur on July 20, 2025.
Summary
The upcoming House of Councillors election in Aomori focuses on addressing the region’s critical population decline. With the population dropping below 1.15 million and 19,000 residents lost in the past year, candidates propose diverse solutions. Liberal Democratic Party incumbent Motomu Takizawa prioritizes local job creation and infrastructure. Constitutional Democratic Party newcomer Tamami Fukushi supports decentralization to enhance regional diversity. Sanseitō’s Tsutomu Kato emphasizes financial support for families and infertility treatment. Japanese Communist Party’s Yuko Ogino advocates for higher wages and youth retention. NHK Party’s Akira Sasaki calls for advancing high-tech industries. Voters will decide on July 20, 2025.
