Sunday’s Lower House election saw a number of big-name lawmakers chopped down to size after losses in their districts, with a handful regaining seats in the chamber via the nation’s proportional representation system.
LDP Secretary-General Akira Amari, who had faced a tough battle in the Kanagawa No. 13 district, was the biggest name to be defeated. Despite the loss, Amari regained a seat in the lower chamber by being tapped for a proportional representation slot. Still, the loss was unprecedented for a party No. 2, prompting Amari to offer his resignation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida late Sunday. Kishida said he would consider what to do with Amari, with an announcement expected as soon as Monday.
Amari was an early backer of Kishida for prime minister, and is one of the so-called 3A politicians, along with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Vice President Taro Aso, who have cooperated behind the scenes to influence the party and its leadership.