Yamasaki secures comeback to Diet | 日本のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2005年4月30日号（バックナンバー）

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Yamasaki secures comeback to Diet

Taku Yamasaki

Former Liberal-Democratic Party Vice President Taku Yamasaki, one of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's few political allies, secured a comeback to the Lower House in a by-election in Fukuoka Prefecture April 24.

Yamasaki, 68, declared victory over Masanori Hirata, a political newcomer fielded by the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, and four other contenders in Fukuoka No. 2 district.

A candidate backed by the LDP also won in another Lower House by-election in the Miyagi No. 2 district in Miyagi Prefecture. Former Miyagi Prefectural Assemblyman Kenya Akiba defeated the DPJ's Yukiko Monma after a tight campaign.

The results are expected to add momentum to Koizumi's drive to win over members of his party opposed to his plan to privatize the nation's postal services.

However, the elections appeared to have drawn little public interest, with voter turnout at 45.99 percent in Fukuoka and 36.75 percent in Miyagi.

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