2015 Japanese unified local elections

The first stage of the 18th unified local elections (第18回統一地方選挙, dai-jūhachi-kai tōitsu chihō senkyo) in Japan took place on April 12, 2015. The Liberal Democratic Party under leadership of Shinzo Abe was the overall victor, winning many races including all ten gubernatorial races[1] and 1,153 of the 2,284 assembly seats at stake.[2] Further elections for municipal mayors and assemblies took place on April 26.[3]

In addition to indicating support for the Abe government, the elections were also seen as a referendum on the Japan Innovation Party, and particularly on Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto's plan to restructure the Osaka prefectural government.[4]

In the first stage, average turnout was estimated at 47.14%, the lowest in the history of Japanese unified elections and the first time that average turnout in unified elections fell below 50%. The total number of prefectural and designated city assembly candidates was also the lowest in history at 3,272, 501 of which (21.9% of seats) ran unopposed.[5] The Democratic Party of Japan fielded 345 candidates, 40% less than the number fielded in the 2011 local elections.[6] Chiba Prefecture had the lowest overall turnout rate at 37%.[2] In the second stage, a record low 9,519 candidates ran for 7,682 seats, and a record high 3.6% of assembly seats were won by default.[7]

  1. ^ Hongo, Jun (12 April 2015). "Abe's Liberal Democratic Party Prevails in Japan's Local Elections". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b Obe, Mitsuru (13 April 2015). "Japan Regional Polls See Record Low Turnout". The Wall Street Journal Japan Real Time. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  3. ^ "2015統一地方選". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  4. ^ "LDP-backed governors win in Hokkaido, Oita, giving boost to Abe". Nikkei Asian Review. Kyodo. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  5. ^ "統一地方選前半、投票率過去最低に". Nihon Keizai Shimbun. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  6. ^ "All 10 ruling coalition-backed incumbents re-elected in governor races". The Asahi Shimbun. 12 April 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference nhk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).