The political landscape of Tokyo witnessed a significant shift on June 22, as a rising conservative party secured its inaugural seats in the metropolitan assembly. This victory marks a notable moment for the party, which champions a “Nation First” ideology resonating with a similar sentiment seen in other global political movements. Their success comes amidst a backdrop where a highly anticipated newcomer party, despite considerable buzz, failed to secure any representation.
Two candidates from the ascending conservative party, a 35-year-old in Setagaya Ward and a 39-year-old in Nerima Ward, clinched assembly positions. The party’s leader attributed this breakthrough to sustained online engagement, including a leadership election and the release of a draft constitution, which significantly boosted public awareness. One of the newly elected members viewed this achievement as merely a “milestone,” signaling a united effort towards future national elections.
During the campaign, the successful conservative party advocated for tangible policy changes, including a 50% reduction in residential tax, public ownership of essential infrastructure, and the distribution of “rice coupons” to support families and those facing financial hardship. Their growing national support has been largely fueled by effective use of online platforms and momentum from recent city assembly elections across various prefectures, where their first-time candidates secured top votes.
In stark contrast, the newcomer party, established in January by a figure who garnered significant attention in the previous gubernatorial election, experienced a complete shutout. Despite fielding a large number of candidates across numerous districts—matching a major established party in candidate count—none were successful. The party leader, however, downplayed the results, stating that their primary goal of fielding candidates had been achieved, emphasizing broader public participation in politics.
This new party, which attracted a large pool of applicants from diverse professional backgrounds, opted for a decentralized approach, allowing candidates to craft their own campaign messages. Their only stated policy was a term limit for successful assembly members. While the party leader actively engaged with voters, the fact that endorsements were finalized just two months before the election posed a significant challenge for candidates to build crucial name recognition, leaving many voters familiar with the party’s founder but less so with the party’s identity.