Key Facts
• Nine candidates are competing for two seats in Kyoto’s 2025 Upper House election.
• Historically dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Communist Party.
• Shohei Niimi (Ishin, 36) advocates for 0% tax on food to combat inflation.
• Minako Saigo (Reiwa, 37), a single mother, calls for abolishing the consumption tax.
• Tsuneo Sakai (Kokumin, 63) proposes a uniform reduction in consumption tax.
• Yoshitaka Kimura (NHK Party, 50) promotes AI-driven policies and 0% tax on food.
• Aohito Taniguchi (Sansei, 46) focuses on doubling Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate by 2035.
• Wakako Yamamoto (Rikken, 57) prioritizes reducing food consumption tax to 0%.
• Akiko Kurabayashi (Communist, 64) emphasizes wage increases and healthcare improvements.
• Shoji Nishida (LDP, 66) seeks to abolish the consumption tax via fiscal law reform.
• Shinji Ninoyu (Independent, 46) opposes the Hokuriku Shinkansen’s Kyoto tunnel route.
• Candidates address inflation, taxation, and regional development as key issues.
Summary
The 2025 Upper House election in Kyoto sees an unprecedented nine candidates vying for two seats, breaking the long-standing dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party and Communist Party. Key issues include inflation, taxation, and regional development. Shohei Niimi (Ishin) and Wakako Yamamoto (Rikken) propose reducing food consumption tax to 0%, while Minako Saigo (Reiwa) advocates for abolishing the consumption tax entirely. Tsuneo Sakai (Kokumin) and Yoshitaka Kimura (NHK Party) also focus on tax reforms, with Kimura emphasizing AI-driven economic policies. Aohito Taniguchi (Sansei) highlights agricultural reforms to double food self-sufficiency by 2035. Akiko Kurabayashi (Communist) stresses wage increases and healthcare improvements, while Shoji Nishida (LDP) seeks fiscal law reform to abolish the consumption tax. Independent candidate Shinji Ninoyu opposes the Hokuriku Shinkansen’s Kyoto tunnel route, citing financial burdens. The election reflects diverse perspectives on Kyoto and Japan’s future.
