Overview
- Democratic Party for the People announced a first round of 46 Lower House candidates and confirmed Shiga’s 1st district nominee as prefectural assembly member 河井昭成.
- 北海道で立憲民主党の現職12人が次期衆院選で「中道改革連合」から立候補する見通しとなり、公明党道本部も合流と協力方針を道内会談で確認した。
- Social Democratic Party is reported to be preparing to field 瑞慶覧長敏 in Okinawa’s 2nd district, a move tied to maintaining party status as its national vote share has waned.
- Nago’s mayoral race officially opened on Jan. 18 with three independents—incumbent 渡具知武豊 and challengers 伊波勝也 and 翁長久美子 (backed by JCP, CDP, SDP, Okinawa Social Mass Party)—with Henoko base relocation a central issue and voting on Jan. 25.
- Obihiro’s April 12 mayoral election is shaping into a three-way contest, as incumbent 米沢則寿 seeks a fifth term against newcomers 柏尾哲哉 and 上野庸介.