Kawaguchi, Japan – The Democratic Party for the People has revoked its endorsement of Rishi Nishizawa, a candidate in the upcoming Saitama Prefectural Assembly election, just one day before the vote. The decision, announced on March 7, 2026, has left Nishizawa to run as an independent.
According to reports, the Saitama prefectural chapter of the party received information on March 6 regarding facts Nishizawa had failed to disclose that could have impacted his candidacy. After Nishizawa confirmed the information, the party moved to revoke his endorsement and remove him from the party.
Suzuki Yoshihiro, the head of the prefectural chapter, addressed the situation in a press conference, stating the matter involved “something related to an individual’s privacy” and declined to elaborate further. However, he added that Nishizawa “failed to disclose information that should have been notified, in order to obtain the party’s endorsement. This is an act of betrayal of trust.”
The election for the two vacant seats in the South 2nd district of the Saitama Prefectural Assembly is scheduled for March 8, 2026. The move underscores the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its candidate selection process.
The case highlights the importance of full disclosure for candidates seeking public office.
