Tsubasa Party Explained

Tsubasa Party
Colorcode:
  1. 4ca135
Leader:Atsuhiko Kurokawa
Secretary General:Ryosuke Nemoto
Foundation:20 May 2019
Headquarters:2-12 Hayabusachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0092, Japan
Seats1 Title:Councillors
Seats2 Title:Representatives
Seats3 Title:Prefectural assembly members
Seats4 Title:City and town assembly members
Country:Japan
Position:Far-right

Tsubasa Party (Japanese: つばさの党|Tsubasa no tō|The Party of Wings) is a political party in Japan founded in 2019. The party garnered nationwide controversy during the 2024 by-elections in the Tokyo 15th district for alleged election interference and sabotage, which led to the arrests of party leaders Kurokawa and Nemoto on suspicions of violating Japanese election laws.[1] [2] [3]

Overview

The party was founded in 20 May 2019 by Koichi Kobayashi, Atsuhiko Kurokawa, Naoto Amaki, and Chiba Prefectural Assembly member Kenichi Nishio.

Arrests for violating the Public Offices Election Act

On May 13, 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police conducted raids at three locations linked to the party and Kurokawa, citing violations of the Public Offices Election Act.[4] [5] [6]

On May 17, Kurokawa, along with two other members of the party, were arrested on suspicion of obstructing public election activities. Tokyo Metropolitan Police's Investigation Division 2 determined that their actions during campaign events, including the use of loudspeakers atop telephone booths and honking car horns, constituted interference under the law.[7] [8]

On June 7, the three were rearrested on charges from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan based on increasing evidence of persistent interference, including prolonged vehicle pursuits and disruptive behavior during public speeches. The investigation highlighted multiple instances of these disruptions, prompting the police to conduct on-site inspections and emphasizing the seriousness of these violations under electoral law.[9] [10]

Kurokawa announced his candidacy for the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election on June 13 despite the ongoing legal challenges.[11] [12]

Election results

Tokyo Gubernatorial

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Editorial . 2024-05-10 . Obstruction of Election Campaigns: Don't Misunderstand Freedom of Speech . 2024-06-21 . japannews.yomiuri.co.jp . en.
  2. Web site: Ninivaggi . Gabriele . 2024-05-13 . Political party Tsubasa no To investigated over election obstruction . 2024-06-21 . The Japan Times . en.
  3. Web site: Shimbun . The Yomiuri . 2024-05-13 . Metropolitan Police Department Raids Tsubasa Party Office over Election Sabotage Suspicions . 2024-06-21 . japannews.yomiuri.co.jp . en.
  4. Web site: 「つばさの党」黒川敦彦代表、家宅捜索に「処罰されても続ける」 公職選挙法改正、各党賛否割れる:東京新聞 TOKYO Web . 2024-06-21 . 東京新聞 TOKYO Web . ja.
  5. Web site: 2024-05-15 . 「バカがいっぱい」「クソ女!」…つばさの党の罵詈雑言は「やる価値がある選挙戦略」と党幹事長 . 2024-06-21 . AERA dot. (アエラドット) . ja.
  6. Web site: 社会部 . 時事通信 . 2024-05-17 . つばさの党代表ら3人逮捕 演説妨害容疑、全容解明へ―捜査本部設置、異例の立件・警視庁:時事ドットコム . 2024-06-21 . 時事ドットコム . ja.
  7. News: 2024-05-17 . 3 Tsubasa Party members arrested on suspicion of obstruction in Japan election . 2024-06-21 . Mainichi Daily News . en.
  8. Web site: NEWS . KYODO . Head of fringe group arrested for obstructing rival lower house candidates . 2024-06-21 . Kyodo News+.
  9. Web site: つばさの党代表らを再逮捕 公選法「交通妨害」容疑を初めて適用か . 2024-06-21 . 毎日新聞 . ja.
  10. Web site: 2024-06-07 . 「つばさの党」代表ら3人、きょうにも再逮捕…立民候補陣営に妨害行為の疑い . 2024-06-21 . 読売新聞オンライン . ja.
  11. Web site: 中山知子 . 東京都知事選「獄中立候補」つばさの党代表黒川敦彦容疑者が表明 党が声明文を公表 - 社会 : 日刊スポーツ . 2024-06-21 . nikkansports.com . ja.
  12. Web site: INC . SANKEI DIGITAL . 2024-06-13 . つばさの党代表の黒川敦彦容疑者、獄中から都知事選出馬へ 声明文を発表 . 2024-06-21 . 産経新聞:産経ニュース . ja.