The official campaign for Japan’s 27th House of Councillors election began on July 3, with party leaders delivering first speeches.  

Liberal Democratic Party President Ishiba Shigeru: 

Within this year, we will make sure financial support reaches those struggling in their daily lives. The benefits are aimed specifically at people in need—they are not giveaways or mere handouts.  

Constitutional Democratic Party Leader Noda Yoshihiko: 

Don’t you all think that not just rice, but all food prices are too high? Groceries are outrageously expensive. Yet the Ishiba administration has done nothing. They have no plan. We intend to cut the consumption tax on food items from the current 8% to zero.  

Nippon Ishin no kai leader Yoshimura Hirofumi: 

The LDP is talking about distributing 20,000 yen cash handouts, but that’s not the right approach. We need reforms to lower social insurance premiums and build a strong economy by developing secondary capital cities and regional economic zones.  

Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki Yuichiro: 

Instead of throwing money around for election purposes, we should return it through tax cuts to the taxpayers who’ve worked so hard. Let’s make this summer a season of bigger take-home pay. 

Komeito leader Saito Tetsuo: 

When Komeito says we’ll do something, we see it through to the end. We’ll firmly protect social security, which underpins our lives, and carry out responsible tax reductions. 

Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Yamamoto Taro: 

We will raise the economy from the bottom up and get money circulating throughout every corner of Japan. To achieve that, the consumption tax must be abolished. With bold economic policies, we’ll revive Japan once more.  

Japanese Communist Party Chair Tamura Tomoko: 

We stand ready to directly confront LDP politics and present responsible alternatives. The growth of the Communist Party is the most certain force to move politics significantly forward.  

Sanseito leader Kamiya Sohei: 

Our slogan is ‘Japan First.’ People have lost hope and are even hesitant to have children. We want to change that kind of Japan. 

Japan Conservative Party leader Hyakuta Naoki: 

Japan is truly on the verge of collapse. But if we stand up now and stop the reckless actions of the LDP-Komeito government, there’s still a chance for Japan to recover.  

Social Democratic Party leader Fukushima Mizuho: 

Rice over missiles! Livelihoods over missiles! Peace over missiles! Don’t you agree? 

The government is spending money in the wrong places, and the SDP will change that.  

Other parties, including the NHK Party political group, Saisei no Michi and Team Mirai, are also fielding candidates in both single-member districts and the proportional representation blocks.  

A total of 125 seats are up for grabs—including 124 regular seats and one vacancy in Tokyo’s constituency. The 17-day campaign will determine the future balance of power in Japan’s Upper House, with voters heading to the polls on July 20.