Shizuoka's gubernatorial election is now a close race between candidates from the ruling party and the main opposition, with speculation continuing that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida might call a snap election this summer if the Liberal Democratic Party candidate is defeated.
A loss might increase internal pressure within the LDP on Kishida to call an early election, rather than wait and risk seeing the party’s popularity decline further, especially following the party’s poor performances in by-elections in April.
The Shizuoka election became necessary after outgoing Gov. Heita Kawakatsu resigned in April over controversial remarks he made to prefectural officials.