Shigenobu Yamamoto, the stepson of Japanese Prime Minister Asahi Takahashi, has decided not to run for a seat in the House of Representatives due to political pressure from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that Takahashi belongs to.
According to Japanese media reports, Shigenobu Yamamoto, a prefectural councilor from Fukui Prefecture who had announced his intention to run in the second district of Fukui Prefecture, held a press conference in the city of Mie on the 24th and stated that he would change his decision and abandon his candidacy. It is reported that after the press conference on the 23rd, the LDP headquarters called him and said, "Please consider the impact on the entire party even if Yamamoto runs as an independent," leading him to decide not to run.
Mr. Yamamoto held a press conference at the Fukui Prefectural Government on the afternoon of the 23rd and announced that he would run as an independent. He said, "I hope to take on the role of a bridge connecting Fukui and the nation." Afterward, the chairman of the LDP's election committee, Hisao Kuroda, and the secretary-general of the LDP, Toshio Suzuki, called him and urged him, "Please consider the impact on the entire party." In multiple communications, he said, "I feel I can't hold everyone back."
Regarding the second district, the local federation had submitted an application for Mr. Yamamoto's endorsement to the central office, but the central office decided to delay Mr. Yamamoto's endorsement and instead support former independent legislator Takeshi Saimi (51 years old), who was expelled from the Japan Innovation Party after being re-elected through proportional representation and then joined the LDP faction.
However, "support" differs from "endorsement" and is not bound by the party's regulations. Therefore, the local federation held another executive committee meeting on the 23rd to confirm its full support for Mr. Yamamoto.
Mr. Yamamoto is the eldest son of former member of the House of Representatives, Hiroshi Yamamoto, and Prime Minister Asahi Takahashi is his stepmother. At the press conference on the 23rd, he mentioned his decision to run, saying, "I did not consult with my father or President Takahashi." At the press conference where he announced his decision to withdraw, he bowed and said, "I feel that no matter what, I will always carry the label of 'stepson of the Prime Minister Takahashi.' I am very sorry for letting down the supporters."
Mr. Saimi also held a press conference in Echizen City that day, stating his intention to run as an independent in the second district. Regarding Mr. Yamamoto's withdrawal from the race, he said, "I will take it seriously and express my gratitude." He also said, "Reclaiming the opposition's seat from the second district and stabilizing the Takahashi administration is the most important task. To achieve this goal, we must unite."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855257273022556/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.