Disgraced former trade and industry minister Yuko Obuchi bowed deeply and apologized to voters while campaigning in her Gunma Prefecture constituency. If re-elected, it would be her sixth term in the Lower House.
"I apologize from the bottom of my heart for causing concern and trouble because of political groups tied to me," a tearful Obuchi told supporters at a shrine in Shibukawa, part of the Gunma No. 5 constituency, on Dec. 2.
The 41-year-old has limited campaigning activities to her constituency as she tries to regain voter trust after a political funds scandal forced her to resign as chief of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in October. This contrasts with her past campaigns, in which she traveled across Japan stumping for fellow candidates.