The ruling Liberal Democratic Party won four of the five Diet by-elections on April 23, but rising opposition party Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) clinched the fifth for its first seat in Wakayama Prefecture.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party won four of five seats in Sunday elections while Prime Minister Fumio Kishida dismissed rumors that he would dissolve the Lower House and call for a snap election.
Deliberations began in the Diet on April 6 on legislation to establish a new fund that would help pay for a massive defense buildup over the next five years.