Hiroshige Seko to contest LDP in Lower House election
Hiroshige Seko, a disgraced member of Japan's Upper House, announced on Oct. 5 that he will contest in the upcoming Lower House election, running as an independent in the Wakayama No. 2 district. Despite his controversial exit from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in April over an unreported political funds scandal, Seko emphasized his extensive political background as a former deputy chief Cabinet secretary and minister of economy, trade, and industry.
Seko will compete against Nobuyasu Nikai, the 46-year-old son of Toshihiro Nikai, a former LDP secretary-general who chose not to seek re-election to take responsibility for his involvement in the LDP’s fund-raising scandal. Nobuyasu will run on the LDP ticket, while Seko stressed that voters must decide between his political experience and Nikai's "new face."
Seko, 61, left the LDP after the party penalized 39 lawmakers for failing to report political funds from fund-raising parties, with Seko himself having failed to report 15.42 million yen ($34,000). While Seko has publicly apologized for breaking the rules and creating distrust in politics, he also mentioned that prosecutors opted not to indict him following their investigation. Ironically, his campaign will emphasize the need for greater transparency in political funding.
Seko’s decision to run as an independent has been met with strong opposition from the LDP's Wakayama prefectural chapter, which criticized him for going against party rules by challenging the LDP-endorsed candidate. The chapter also declared its disapproval of any potential return for Seko to the LDP in the future. The Lower House election is anticipated to take place on Oct. 27.
