Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto expressed confidence July 7 over his Liberal Democratic Party's continued reign over national politics following his party's victory in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly race July 6.
The LDP and Japanese Communist Party emerged as big winners in the election, which was also characterized by a sluggish voter turnout of 40.8 percent -- the lowest figure ever for a local assembly election. "I am very happy about the number of seats we picked up," Hashimoto said. Of the 127 seats being contested, the LDP grabbed 54, up from its pre-election strength of 38.
Speaking to reporters on Hatsushima, a small island off the hot spa resort of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, Hashimoto indicated the July 6 election results will further stabilize his power as president of the ruling party. It is widely believed he will be chosen uncontested for his second term as LDP chief when his current two-year term ends in September.