Katsuya Okada, a prominent figure who previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during the former Democratic Party administration, is anticipated to lose his bid in Mie District 3. This election marks the 13th time Okada has run for a parliamentary seat, traditionally showing remarkable strength in past elections, where he gathered a whopping 137,953 votes in the previous election, the highest in the Tokai region. However, the current political climate, notably influenced by the popularity of Sanae Takaichi, has created headwinds for his campaign.

Despite his strong historical performance, Okada's shift to join the newly formed Center Reform Union, just before the election announcement, failed to attract significant voter support. He described his decision to join the new party as a crucial step towards achieving rational centrist and political reform. He emphasized that changing the government is the most significant political reform needed, but it seems he has not managed to widen his appeal among voters in Mie District 3.

In the past, Okada gained attention for his inquiries in the House of Representatives, particularly regarding Taiwan's issues, where he prompted Prime Minister Takaichi to respond during the budget committee meeting. This led to increased criticism on social media, as some believe his questions contributed to the deterioration of Japan-China relations. As a result, his upcoming electoral defeat may not only reflect local voter sentiment but also broader implications concerning Japan's foreign relations and the internal dynamics of the political landscape.