When the ruling party lost heavily in last year's elections to the House of Councilors, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nonaka Hiromu naturally turned to Takeshita.

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However, there will be an important test of public support for his government's handling of the economy in July when half the members of the House of Councilors stand for election.

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It was especially evident last February when the party's candidate nearly won the Kyoto mayoral election, the communist total was doubled in the race for governor of Saitama prefecture, and they were victorious in the Gifu prefecture House of Councilors by-election, tripling their usual majority.

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