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Tsubasa Party (Japanese: つばさの党, romanized: Tsubasa no tō, lit. '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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Election results

By-elections

Tokyo Gubernatorial

References

1. Saizo December 2022 & January 2023 Issues p101
2. 男系男子継承、歴史と伝統と文化【つばさの党、政策④、女性天皇、女系天皇、日本会議、種子法廃止、水道民営化、安倍晋三、麻生太郎】 (in Japanese), 3 August 2021, retrieved 2024-04-17
3. "黒川敦彦容疑者が設立「つばさの党」、矛先はワクチンや宗教団体の政治活動も（産経新聞）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-18.
4. Editorial (2024-05-10). "Obstruction of Election Campaigns: Don't Misunderstand Freedom of Speech". japannews.yomiuri.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
5. Ninivaggi, Gabriele (2024-05-13). "Political party Tsubasa no To investigated over election obstruction". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
6. Shimbun, The Yomiuri (2024-05-13). "Metropolitan Police Department Raids Tsubasa Party Office over Election Sabotage Suspicions". japannews.yomiuri.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
7. "「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". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
8. "「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". AERA dot. (アエラドット) (in Japanese). 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
9. 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". 時事ドットコム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
10. "3 Tsubasa Party members arrested on suspicion of obstruction in Japan election". Mainichi Daily News. 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
11. NEWS, KYODO. "Head of fringe group arrested for obstructing rival lower house candidates". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
12. "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". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
13. "「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". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
14. 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". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
15. 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". 産経新聞：産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.

• 2019 establishments in Japan
• Conservative parties in Japan
• Political parties established in 2019
• Political parties in Japan
• 2024 controversies