
New opposition parties still lagging behind the LDP—but many voters undecided
October 6, 2017Author: Tobias Harris
Categories: Japan Political Pulse
With four days until the campaign for Japan’s October 22 general election officially begins, the outlook for the vote is still extremely fluid. Polls show significant numbers of undecided voters, but also suggest that Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike’s newly formed Party of Hope is struggling to connect with independent voters.
Tags: Abe, cdpj, dp, DPJ, foreign policy, japan political pulse, jpp, Komeito, LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, party of hope, Politics, polls, public opinion, security, Shinzo Abe, tobias harris, yuriko koike

Koike Yuriko Shakes Up October Election Prospects with Party of Hope
October 5, 2017Author: Nippon.com Editorial Board
Categories: In-Depth with Nippon.com
On September 28, Prime Minister Abe Shinzō dissolved the Diet and announced a snap general election to be held on October 22. The sudden appearance of Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko’s new party, Kibō no Tō, or the Party of Hope, has established an entirely new chessboard, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s pieces arrayed across from the newcomer’s.
Tags: dp, Japanese politics, Kibo no tou, LDP, yuriko koike

JPP: Opposition parties aim for independent voters as campaign season officially begins
June 22, 2016Author: Tobias Harris
Categories: Japan Political Pulse
The last round of polling before the campaign for Japan’s July 10 House of Councillors (HOC) elections officially began today shows that the Abe administration and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) continue to hold a commanding lead that could position them for a significant, if not overwhelming victory. But a number of independents are still undecided, and dissatisfaction with the Abe administration’s economic policies continues to run high, suggesting that there is room for the Democratic Party (DP) to gain at the government’s expense.
Tags: Abe, Abenomics, aggregation, approval rating, Asahi Shimbun, coalintion, democratic party, disapproval rating, dp, government, house of councillors, japan political pulse, japanese communist party, jcp, jiji press, jpp, Komeito, LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, NHK, opinion, opinion poll, people's life party, plp, Politics, poll, polls, sdp, Shinzo Abe, social democratic party, tobias harris, Yomiuri Shimbun

JPP: Abe support strengthens despite ongoing economic dissatisfaction
May 5, 2016Author: Tobias Harris
Categories: Japan Political Pulse
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s position continues to strengthen, according to recent polls by Kyodo News and the Nikkei. In both cases, it appears that undecided voters may be making up their minds.
Tags: Abenomics, consumption tax hike, democratic pary, dp, elections, houce of councillors, japan political pulse, japan poll, jpp, kyodo news, LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, Nikkei, poll, polling, Shinzo Abe, tobias harris

JPP: Abe remains strong ahead of major decisions
March 28, 2016Author: Tobias Harris
Categories: Japan Political Pulse
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is entering a critical period in the life of his government, with several important decisions and actions coming within the next few months. The good news for him is that opinion polls suggest he is entering this period in a position of strength.
Tags: Abe, Abenomics, approval, approval rating, consumption tax, democratic party, Democratic Party of Japan, Diet, disapproval, disapproval rating, dp, DPJ, election, fiscal policy, g7, house of councillors, House of Representatives, japan innovation party, japan political pulse, JIP, jpp, LDP, Liberal Democratic Party, merge, poll, rating, Shinzo Abe, snap election, TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership