Japan’s Opposition Figure Tamaki to Remain Head of Key Opposition Party DPP Despite Infidelity Report, Party Backs Him for Premiership Vote

Despite a recent report alleging marital infidelity, Japan’s Democratic Party for the People (DPP) has confirmed that they will continue to nominate their leader, Yuichiro Tamaki, for the premiership vote as planned, Bloomberg reports.

DPP Secretary General Kazuya Shimba said that Tamaki has the party’s full support and that they will nominate him for both the first round of voting and an expected runoff. Shimba highlighted Tamaki’s crucial role in the party’s growth. He also underlined the party’s determination to maintain its gains in the upcoming upper house election, stating that any loss of seats would render their recent progress meaningless.

Tamaki himself has acknowledged the local media report as “largely true,” but this scandal is unlikely to significantly affect the outcome of Monday’s vote. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remains the frontrunner, with the opposition parties failing to unite behind an alternative candidate.

The DPP, which emerged as a key player following the ruling coalition’s loss of its majority in October’s election, has said that they will not join the coalition and will not vote for Ishiba. However, the party is seeking to collaborate with Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to promote their key policies.

Tamaki’s future as party leader remains uncertain. The scandal could potentially impact his bargaining power during policy negotiations with Ishiba’s LDP.