Key Facts
• July 20: Senate election voting scheduled in Tokyo constituency.
• July 14: Mayu Ushida, 40, revealed her election poster was vandalized with gum.
• July 7: Ushida’s campaign vehicle was followed for an extended period.
• July 13: Campaign resumed publicizing speech schedules after enhanced security measures.
• Ushida emphasized commitment to democracy despite repeated harassment incidents.
• Tokyo constituency has 7 seats contested by 32 candidates, including Ushida.
• Ushida represents the Democratic Party for the People alongside candidate Shota Okumura.
• Other candidates include members from the Liberal Democratic Party, Constitutional Democratic Party, and other parties.
Summary
Mayu Ushida, a former NHK announcer and candidate for the Democratic Party for the People in Tokyo’s Senate election, reported vandalism to her campaign poster on July 14. Gum was found stuck to the poster’s right eye, following a prior incident on July 7 where her campaign vehicle was trailed for an extended period. Ushida temporarily halted publicizing her speech schedule but resumed on July 13 after security was strengthened. Despite these challenges, she reaffirmed her commitment to a respectful democratic process. The Tokyo constituency’s seven seats are being contested by 32 candidates, including representatives from major political parties and independents.
