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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Japan ruling party triumphs in local elections despite criticism over links to Moonies

Japanese prime pinister Fumio Kishida (centre) raises his fist with other party members at the party's annual convention in Tokyo, Japan.
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida (centre). His LDP party has been victorious in local elections despite criticism over the past year of his party’s links to the Moonies. Photograph: Zuma Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP) has won key local elections in the first big electoral test for the prime minister, Fumio Kishida, since damaging revelations emerged about his party’s ties to the Unification church.

LDP candidates triumphed in governor elections in prefectures from Hokkaido in the country’s north to Oita in the south-west on Sunday, raising speculation that Kishida could call a snap general election.

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