What were Japanese voters worried about?published at 04:07 GMT
04:07 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Ahead of the election on Sunday, the BBC spoke to voters about the things they’re concerned about as they head to the polls. Here’s what they said:
Rising cost of living
“I used to spend about 10,000 yen ($64; £47) a week on groceries,” said voter Kanako Himura. “Now it’s always more. Prices are rising, quantities are shrinking. Even when the price stays the same, you get less.”
“Tokyo property prices are too high,” said Kento Naka, a 35-year-old manga artist, adding that prices have risen “but income hasn’t caught up at all”.
National defence
“Of course, the economy is an important issue for the people, but at my age – especially when I think about my grandchildren’s generation – national defence is very important,” said 85-year-old voter Naoaki Yuhara.
But Takaichi’s hawkishness on defence worries Haruka, a voter in her 30s.
“I do worry that they may spend money on things like nuclear weapons or the use of military forces,” she said. “Perhaps we’re heading towards a future where we might have no choice but to engage in some sort of conflict.”
The LDP’s level of victory
“I do support the Liberal Democratic Party, but I do have some concerns about them winning too much,” 42-year-old voter Naohisa Komiyama told Reuters on Monday, as the LDP’s victory became clear.
“If an atmosphere emerges in which people feel they can’t voice opposing opinions, then I think carelessness and arrogance will start to crop up.”