Key Facts
• July 15: Campaigns intensify as the election enters its final four days.
• Takumi Konuma (39, Constitutional Democratic Party, incumbent) focuses on social reforms.
• Konuma advocates for abolishing the gasoline tax and reducing food consumption tax.
• Ryosuke Kozuki (62, Liberal Democratic Party, incumbent) emphasizes agricultural policies.
• Kozuki highlights rice price stabilization at 3,500 yen per 5 kg as a key goal.
• Konuma campaigns in Mito, Kasama, and Ishoka, addressing cost-of-living issues.
• Kozuki tours three cities and two towns, focusing on rural and agricultural concerns.
• Both candidates engage directly with voters through handshakes and speeches.
• Kozuki stresses Japan’s need for “earning power” through exports and tourism.
• The election is described as a “tight race” with mixed voter sentiment.
Summary
As the 2025 Upper House election in Ibaraki approaches its final days, candidates Takumi Konuma and Ryosuke Kozuki intensify their campaigns. Konuma, representing the Constitutional Democratic Party, focuses on creating a hopeful society by addressing cost-of-living issues, including abolishing the gasoline tax and reducing food consumption tax. Kozuki, from the Liberal Democratic Party, emphasizes agricultural policies, particularly stabilizing rice prices at 3,500 yen per 5 kg. Both candidates actively engage with voters through speeches and personal interactions. While Konuma highlights social reforms, Kozuki stresses Japan’s need for economic growth through exports and tourism. The race remains competitive, with both candidates striving to secure voter support.
