While on the campaign trail for an Upper House seat, political veteran Ken Nishiuchi faced a persistent question that had nothing to do with his experience or policies.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost one of two by-elections for Diet seats previously held by party lawmakers, despite Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s pledge to win both polls.
Voting is under way in by-elections to fill two vacant seats in Japan's parliament, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party facing off against the leading opposition force in one-on-one battles.
A candidate backed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has a slight lead over a rival fielded by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in an Upper House by-election on the main island of Shikoku, an Asahi Shimbun analysis shows.