Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Election: Democratic Party of Japan, Downturn in the Capital, Major Headwind, Everyone Fought a Good Fight, Mr. Shiomura Won the Election

Mr. Shiomura, a newcomer to the Minnano Party, smiles after winning the election at his office in Komazawa, Setagaya Ward, at 10:45 p.m. on March 23. In the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election (127 seats), positioned as a prelude to the Upper House election, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which had been increasing its seats in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly since its establishment, suffered a crushing defeat that belies its remarkable victory four years ago, and fell to the fourth party. In the "third-party" category, the Minna-no-tō increased its number of seats, while the Japan Restoration Association (JRA), which has been rapidly losing ground, struggled, creating a clear divide between the two. As a newcomer, I had no ground to stand on, and I felt like I was going to lose my nerve. Fumika Shiomura, 34, a newcomer to the Minna-no Party who was elected in Setagaya Ward, burst into tears of joy at her office in Komazawa, Setagaya Ward, at around 10:40 p.m. Photo taken on June 23, 2013.