In the Aichi electoral district for the House of Councillors election (4 seats up for election), newcomer Koichi Mizuno (48) from the Democratic Party for the People won his first term.

Mizuno launched the “Nippon Domannaka Festival” during his university years.

He campaigned under the party’s slogan of “Increasing take-home pay” and secured the seat previously held by Kohei Otsuka, who ran in last year’s Nagoya mayoral election.

Upon his victory, Mizuno stated, “I have advocated for ‘prosperity starting from the working generation.’ I will firmly bring everyone’s voices to the center of national politics.”

Other winners in the Aichi district include incumbent Yasuyuki Sakai from the Liberal Democratic Party, incumbent Maiko Tajima from the Constitutional Democratic Party, and newcomer Junko Sugimoto from the Democratic Party for the People.

Aichi electoral district

The Aichi electoral district is a regional constituency in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, part of the country’s proportional representation system for the House of Representatives. Historically, Aichi has been a politically significant area due to its large population and economic importance as the home of major industries like Toyota. The district has undergone redistributions over time to reflect demographic changes and ensure fair representation.

House of Councillors

The **House of Councillors** is the upper house of Japan’s National Diet (parliament), established in 1947 under the post-World War II Constitution. It replaced the pre-war Imperial Diet’s House of Peers and serves as a deliberative body with the power to review and amend legislation passed by the lower house, the House of Representatives. The House of Councillors has 248 members elected through a mixed electoral system, with staggered six-year terms ensuring continuity in governance.

Democratic Party for the People

The Democratic Party for the People (国民民主党, Kokumin Minshutō) is a centrist political party in Japan, established in 2018 through a merger of members from the Democratic Party and the Party of Hope. It advocates for progressive policies, social welfare, and constitutional reform while positioning itself as a moderate alternative to the dominant Liberal Democratic Party. The party has struggled to gain significant influence but remains active in Japanese politics, focusing on issues like economic equality and environmental sustainability.

Nippon Domannaka Festival

The **Nippon Domannaka Festival** is a vibrant annual event held in Nagoya, Japan, celebrating Japanese culture through lively dance parades, music, and performances. Originating in 1999, the festival was created to revitalize the city center and promote unity, with its name “Domannaka” meaning “right in the middle” of Japan. Today, it attracts thousands of participants and spectators, featuring the iconic *Domannaka Dance*, where teams compete in synchronized routines.

Nagoya mayoral election

The Nagoya mayoral election is a key political event in Nagoya, Japan’s fourth-largest city, known for its influence on local governance and urban development. Historically, the election has seen competition between candidates advocating for different policies, such as economic growth, public services, and administrative reform. Recent elections have sometimes reflected national political trends while addressing city-specific issues like transportation and disaster preparedness.

Liberal Democratic Party

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is Japan’s dominant political party, founded in 1955 through the merger of conservative factions. It has governed Japan almost continuously since its creation, playing a key role in the country’s post-war economic growth and political stability. The LDP is known for its pro-business policies, close ties with the U.S., and occasional nationalist leanings.

Constitutional Democratic Party

The Constitutional Democratic Party (Kadets) was a liberal political party in the Russian Empire, founded in 1905 during the revolutionary period. It advocated for constitutional monarchy, civil rights, and democratic reforms, becoming a leading force in the short-lived First Duma (1906). After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, the party was banned, and many of its members fled or were persecuted by the Soviet regime.