Ozawa stumps in old stomping grounds

Too clever by half, if I do say so myself. Still, yea for elections and candidates stumping around for votes. This time, it’s Ozawa trying to help his party out in his home territory, where, at least according to this article, his newly minted political party isn’t doing so hot.

「王国」で異例のて こ入れ＝小沢氏、岩 手に張り付き【１２ 衆院選】

日本未来の党の小沢一郎氏は１２日、同 党の衆院選候補のてこ入れのため地元の岩 手県に入った。投開票前日の１５日まで県 内を回るという。衆院選で未来は伸び悩ん でおり、「小沢王国」の岩手でも四つの小 選挙区のうち、自身の４区以外は苦戦が伝 えられている。小沢氏が終盤に地元に張り 付くのは異例で、危機感の表れと言えそう だ。 小沢氏は１２日午後、未来の新人候補が 民主党などと接戦を繰り広げている３区に 入り、一関市で支援者との会合に出席する などした。未来の岩手事務所によると小沢 氏は、残る選挙期間中、県内計３０カ所以 上で街頭演説を行う。最終日には自身の４ 区でも支持を訴えることにしている。 地元関係者によれば、小選挙区制が導入 された１９９６年以降、小沢氏が衆院選最 終日に自らの選挙区で活動するのは初め て。（2012/12/12-21:51） http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g= pol_30&k=2012121201079

In exceptional move, shoring up support in his “kingdom” – Ozawa to stick to Iwate – 2012 Lower House Elections

Japan Future Party’s (JPF) Ichiro Ozawa went to his native Iwate Prefecture to shore up support for his party’s candidate in the Lower House Elections on the 12 th . He plans to spend his time up till the 15 th , the day before voting, going around the prefecture. JPF has been sluggish so far in the campaign and outside of his home 4 th district, is struggling in difficult races in the 4 districts of Ozawa Kingdom aka Iwate Prefecture. It could be said that Ozawa is sensing the danger, with the unprecedented move to stay in his home territory during the election’s final stages. On the evening of the 12 th , Ozawa went to the 3 rd district where the JPF’s new candidate is locked in close race with the DPJ and attended an event with supporters in Ichinoseki City. According to JPF’s Iwate office, Ozawa plans to make more than 30 stump speeches within Iwate Prefecture. On the last day, he will go about raising support in his home 4 th district. According to local sources , this is the first time since the introduction of individually contested electoral districts in 1996 that Ozawa has returned to his own electoral district on the last day of Lower House elections.