Key Facts
• July 20, 2025: Voting held for Kyoto’s Upper House election (2 seats).
• Nine candidates submitted expense reports; average spending was ¥10,268,021.
• Highest spender: Shoji Nishida (Liberal Democratic Party) at ¥25,693,510.
• Lowest spender: Yoshitaka Kimura (NHK Party) at ¥464,004, fully covered by the party.
• Shoji Nishida spent ¥2,027,000 on campaign preparation and ¥5,410,000 on activities.
• Shouhei Niimi (Japan Innovation Party) spent ¥11,744,901, with 10% on labor costs.
• Expenses included unique items: shrine shelves (¥36,300), throat lozenges, and hot spring stays.
• Advertising costs: Namiko Saigo (Reiwa Shinsengumi) spent ¥2,750,000 on YouTube ads.
• Public funding covered some costs for candidates meeting vote thresholds.
• Campaign worker pay: Nishida paid 10 workers ¥20,000/day, Niimi paid ¥17,000/day.
• Heat countermeasures: Ice blocks (¥15,000) and fans were purchased by candidates.
• Funding sources: Party donations, personal funds (e.g., Niimi ¥3,500,000, Yamamoto ¥2,500,000).
Summary
The 2025 Kyoto Upper House election saw nine candidates with diverse campaign spending, ranging from ¥464,004 to ¥25,693,510. Shoji Nishida of the Liberal Democratic Party led in expenses, while Yoshitaka Kimura of the NHK Party spent the least, fully funded by his party. Unique expenditures included shrine shelves, throat lozenges, and hot spring stays. Advertising played a significant role, with Namiko Saigo allocating over ¥2,750,000 to YouTube ads. Heat countermeasures and campaign worker pay were notable costs, with Nishida paying workers ¥20,000/day. Funding sources varied, with party donations and personal contributions being key. Public funding supported candidates meeting vote thresholds, covering items like posters and campaign broadcasts. The election highlighted the financial complexities of modern campaigns.
