Kiyomi Tsujimoto, deputy leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaks about her defeat in the lower house election in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, on Nov. 1, 2021. (Mainichi/Masaki Takahashi)

       OSAKA -- Kiyomi Tsujimoto, deputy leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, failed to win either a single-seat constituency or in the proportional representation bloc in the Oct. 31 House of Representatives general election.

       At a news conference held early on Nov. 1 at her office in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, Tsujimoto, 61, said, "I felt the powerful force of the Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) blowing against us. It was a very tough election," summing up her campaign. While getting teary-eyed, she said, "I was not good enough (as a candidate). I apologize. I would like to accept the result." She then bowed her head.

       As for her future intentions, Tsujimoto only said, "I think the honorable thing for me to do is assume responsibility and resign from my position in the party."

       Tsujimoto lost to Taku Ikeshita, a 46-year-old newcomer running on the Nippon Ishin ticket, by 13,989 votes in the Osaka No. 10 constituency.

       In the 2012 lower house elections, when the former Democratic Party of Japan lost power, Tsujimoto was also defeated in the single-seat constituency but secured her seat in proportional representation.

       (Japanese original by Masaki Takahashi, Osaka City News Department)

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