Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is looking increasingly likely to be returned to power after latest survey results showed support for the new Kibo no To party, also known as the Party of Hope, is on the slide.
The survey, conducted by Japanese new agency Yomiuri Shimbun, showed the LDP attracting the highest preliminary support of all parties with 32% of respondents saying they would vote for the ruling party. That figure is slightly down from support of 34% during the previous survey held in late September, however support for Kibo no To has fallen further, down from 19% to 13%. Just 7% of respondents said they will vote for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, while 5% suggested they will vote for Komeiti – the LDP’s coalition partner.
Notably, 54% of respondents said they would prefer a government “led mainly by the LDP and supported by some opposition parties,” with 20% wanting a “government led mainly by current opposition parties” and 16% a “government led mainly by the LDP.”
Expectations surrounding Kibo no To leader and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike are low, with just 36% claiming to have positive expectations compared with 58% who do not. 71% said Ms Koike “should focus on her duties as Tokyo governor.”
The poll results are promising for the world’s Integrated Resort operators, who are anxiously awaiting the outcome of Japan’s 22 October election after the LDP, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, made significant progress on IR legislation in 2017.
An IR Promotion Bill passed through the Diet last December, paving the way for at least two IRs to be developed in Japan, while the IR Implementation Bill – which will set specific guidelines for Japanese IRs – was originally scheduled for a vote this autumn before Abe’s snap election put it on hold.
Victory by the LDP in the upcoming election would likely see the IR Implementation Bill resurface in early 2018.
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