Shinji Ishimaru, who surprised many by finishing as the runner-up in the Tokyo gubernatorial election last July, announced on January 15 the creation of a regional political party named Saisei no Michi, which translates to "rebirth path." During a press conference held in Tokyo, the 42-year-old former mayor from Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture stated that his party intends to partake in the upcoming Tokyo metropolitan assembly elections set for the summer.
Ishimaru articulated the need for Japan to transform to ensure its renewal, calling for increased political engagement among the populace. However, when it came to discussing specific policy measures for his party, he refrained from outlining any details, preferring to leave policy decisions to the discretion of individual candidates.
In the previous gubernatorial election, Ishimaru, running as an independent candidate, garnered significant support primarily through online videos and messages that criticized established political parties. Although he ultimately lost to incumbent Governor Yuriko Koike, he managed to secure around 1.66 million votes, significantly outpacing Renho, a former Upper House member who was anticipated to be a strong contender against Koike.
The Tokyo metropolitan assembly elections comprise 42 districts, with seven districts represented by a single member and the remaining 35 districts electing between two and eight members each. Ishimaru aims to have candidates from Saisei no Michi in all districts and is particularly optimistic about fielding multiple candidates in the larger districts.
He indicated his intention to limit the tenure of elected members from his party to two terms of four years each. Although Ishimaru has decided not to run for a position in the assembly himself, he will support the party as a representative and has not dismissed the possibility of contesting the gubernatorial office again in the future, stating that running for governor remains a viable option but is not the only path.
To ensure the selection of candidates by spring, Ishimaru outlined a three-phase process that includes application screenings, an aptitude test, and interviews, with video recordings of the interviews available for public viewing online. Saisei no Michi seeks to cultivate political talent and increase the representation of new leaders within local government from those who have served in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly.
Currently, of the 124 assembly members in Tokyo, 30 are affiliated with the Liberal Democratic Party, 27 belong to Koike’s Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First), and 23 are part of Komeito. The terms of the current incumbents will end on July 22, although the exact date for the subsequent elections has yet to be determined.
6 Comments
Pupsik
This party feels like a personality-driven project, not a collective effort. We need a party with a strong, shared vision.
Marishka
His previous campaign demonstrated his ability to connect with voters and mobilize them around a common cause. That's exactly what we need now.
Pupsik
Focusing on recruiting and developing new political talent is crucial for building a better future for Japan.
Marishka
Using online platforms to reach voters is a smart strategy in today's digital age. It's time politicians embrace modern communication tools.
Pupsik
Limiting term length to two terms sounds good, but what about limiting the number of terms someone can run for any office?
Muchacha
Aptitude tests and interviews are subjective. How can we be sure the selection process is fair and unbiased?