Despite PM's solid support, local election may spell trouble for LDP

TOKYO - More than two months after her party's landslide victory in the general election, a series of local election defeats have begun to weigh on ruling party lawmakers despite Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's relatively high popularity.

While some members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party claim local factors affect voting in gubernatorial and mayoral races, the losses of candidates backed by the LDP have prompted a deeper analysis and reflection ahead of unified elections next spring when leader Takaichi's popularity will be put to the test.