Democratic Party of Japan candidate and incumbent Chiaki Takahashi, 56, lost his seat in Mie's electoral district to Liberal Democratic Party rookie Yumi Yoshikawa during the Upper House election Sunday.
The district is home to former DPJ President Katsuya Okada, who was known as a traditional door-to-door election campaigner. Okada voiced his regret at Takahashi's campaign office in Tsu, Mie Prefecture, on Sunday.
"It was really close. I am terribly sorry," a grim Okada said.