Kirk here with election news. In Kumamoto’s 2nd district, challenger Nishino (younger former bureaucrat) has beat out incumbent Noda. Noda is in his 80s. He seemed quite vigorous when I saw him campaigning in a TV report but I suspect that, for better or worse, age may have been a factor. 2021 has been a year in which the word rogai (老害; harm caused by older people who hold on to power too long) has gotten a good deal of use, most notably in regard to former Prime Minister Mori’s sexist remarks.
I’m only speculating that age was a factor in Noda’s loss – I haven’t seen any commentary or exit polls that confirm my suspicion. It is a fact, though, that Nishino campaigned on the need for a transfer of power to the younger generation (世代交代; sedai kotai).
Ideologically, I doubt that this represents a major change. Nishino got some conservative LDP support too. Indeed, I’ve seen some reports about a conservative split being a factor in this case.
https://www.47news.jp/localnews/6989810.html https://www.sankei.com/article/20211031-6TGGZEI6SFMDVI4UYYTU6ZYBHY/