With campaigning for the House of Councillors election in full swing, the Liberal Democratic Party has a healthy lead, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey, but the main ruling party is refusing to count its chickens before they hatch.
The survey revealed that rising prices sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the depreciating yen are having a direct impact on people's day-to-day lives, which is leading to discontent with the government. This gives the ruling parties reason to feel concern.
After completing an official engagement in Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida traveled to Matsuyama and gave a public address urging voters there to support the ruling coalition.
