AKASHI, Hyogo – Japan’s former economy and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura is certain to win a seat in the Oct. 27 House of Representatives election, despite not receiving an official endorsement from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over his role in the party’s slush fund scandal.

Nishimura, 62, who is running as an independent in the Hyogo constituency no. 9, is confident of securing his eighth term.

As a former secretary-general of the LDP’s now-defunct Abe faction, which came under fire for pooling off-the-books funds, Nishimura was forced to explain the money scandal involving faction fundraising parties. Since the start of this year, he has continued to apologize in various venues, including at gatherings for supporters at his home ground. During his stump speeches, he defended himself, saying: “They were not slush funds, but a mistake in reporting them.”

During his stints in ministerial and key party positions, Nishimura was often unable to campaign in his own constituency, but this time he aggressively shook hands with citizens and nonchalantly reacted to commemorative photos. He also emphasized his experience as minister responsible for dealing with the coronavirus and minister for economy, trade and industry.

Nishimura received an endorsement from the LDP’s junior coalition partner Komeito, as well as from a local LDP branch, and committed himself fully to securing organized votes from businesses and groups. He managed to beat three newcomers, including Keigo Hashimoto, 35, of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who boasts of being the “best disciple” of former Akashi mayor Fusaho Izumi, 61.

(Japanese original by Naoki Irie, Akashi Local Bureau)