In Osaka, LDP faces off against JIP despite being allies

OSAKA –

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its ally, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), are competing against each other in all 19 single-seat constituencies of Osaka Prefecture in Sunday’s general election, the first to be held since the two formed their coalition last October.

In the Osaka No. 5 district, which covers the northwestern part of the city of Osaka, the roughly 66,000 people who voted for a candidate from Komeito, the LDP’s former coalition partner, in the previous Lower House election in October 2024 may determine the outcome this time.

Osaka Prefecture is a stronghold of the JIP — also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai — which has its headquarters in the prefectural capital.