Key Facts
• Tomomi Otsuji, 44, won her first election in Kagoshima’s Upper House district.
• She secured over 300,000 votes, becoming the first female senator from Kagoshima.
• Otsuji ran with the Constitutional Democratic Party’s endorsement despite her father being a Liberal Democratic Party member.
• Her father, Hidehisa Otsuji, congratulated her briefly, saying, “Do your best.”
• Otsuji aims to address rising living costs and proposes a temporary 0% tax on food.
• She advocates direct subsidies for primary industry workers to combat economic challenges.
• Otsuji ruled out rejoining the Liberal Democratic Party, citing loyalty to voters.
• She plans to remain independent in parliament, seeking guidance from experienced lawmakers.
Summary
Tomomi Otsuji, 44, made history as the first female senator elected from Kagoshima, securing over 300,000 votes in the Upper House election. Despite her father being a Liberal Democratic Party member, Otsuji ran with the endorsement of the Constitutional Democratic Party. She expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized her commitment to addressing urgent issues like rising living costs. Her proposals include temporarily eliminating taxes on food and providing direct subsidies to primary industry workers. Otsuji dismissed the possibility of rejoining the Liberal Democratic Party, citing her dedication to voters. As an independent lawmaker, she plans to collaborate with senior colleagues for guidance while maintaining her independent stance.
