The ruling Democratic Party of Japan suffered another election setback Sunday, losing ground in gubernatorial and other local contests overshadowed by the crisis triggered by the earthquake-tsunami disaster a month ago.
Politicians linked to the Liberal Democratic Party emerged victorious over candidates affiliated with the DPJ in all three gubernatorial elections, in Tokyo, Hokkaido and Mie Prefecture.
The DPJ also lost in the mayoral race in Hiroshima and was dealt a major setback in polling for prefectural assembly seats as well.