Japan is set to hold its Upper House election this Sunday, and a total of 125 seats are
up for grabs.
Of that, 75 will be elected from constituencies across Japan, and 50 via proportional representation.
All eyes are on how the ruling party will fare as the results will have implications
for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's grip on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and allow
him to emerge from the shadows of a powerful predecessor and define his premiership.
So what implications do the latest elections have on Japan's future political landscape?
And how could the results of the elections affect future Seoul-Washington ties?
For this, we are joined by Willy Jou, Associate Professor at Waseda University's School of
Political Science and Economics.
1.
Prime Minister Kishida said that his goal is to take the majority of seats, meaning
the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito should win more than 55 seats.
For starters can you explain to us, what the significance of this number is?
And if the parties meet the goals, how does this change Japan's political landscape?
2.
Prime Minister Kishida has been very busy since he returned from NATO, holding street
campaigns in Okinawa, Osaka and Kyoto to seek support for his party.
What significance does this election have for Prime Minister Kishida?
=could act as litmus test, if ruling party doesn't have a big win, Kishida might have
to sick with former PM Abe's hardliner policies?
why?
3.
What do polls say about the forecasted results?
What kind of results do you expect?
4.
Pundits say that the key points of these elections are security issues like defense capability
as well as constitutional reform.
Can you explain to us why members are trying to reform the constitution?
What specifically do they want
to change?
=enlisting self defense forces?
5.
How
do you expect the results of the election to influence future Seoul-Tokyo ties?
Alright Professor, thank you
for your insights, hope to talk
to you again after the results are in.