2023 Democratic Party for the People leadership election

Tamaki and Maehara registered their candidacies on 3 August.^[7] The contest revolved mainly around the party's approach to government and opposition. Maehara strongly criticised Tamaki's course, which he described as too close to the government. He stated that voting for the budget compromised the party's position. He called for the DPFP to firmly anchor itself in opposition and pursue a non-LDP and non-Communist coalition. He particularly favoured cooperation with Nippon Ishin no Kai, which shared many of the party's conservative positions.^[8][9] Tamaki defended pragmatic cooperation with the LDP in order to achieve the party's policy goals. He advocated "seek[ing] cooperation beyond the boundaries of ruling and opposition parties, based on a policy-driven approach". He also did not rule out forming a coalition with the LDP.^{[10][11][12][13]} In terms of policy, Tamaki supported continuing expansionist fiscal policy, believing it was on the verge of reversing wage deflation. He also called for increasing the consumption tax and doubling spending on education and science. Maehara proposed expanding social security and abolishing means testing, funded from Japan's foreign exchange reserves.^[14]

Both the Constitutional Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin were understood to prefer Maehara. The trade union federation RENGO, one of the party's major sources of support, remained publicly neutral for fear that internal conflicts could lead to a split in the party.^[15]

Tamaki was decisively re-elected, securing a two to one margin among the Diet caucus and more than 80% support from both party members and local assembly officials. The party's thirteen approved Diet candidates favoured Maehara seven to six. Overall, Tamaki won 80 of the 111 available points.^[1][16] Media attributed his commanding margin to endorsement from private sector-union affiliated Diet members, who consolidated around Tamaki during the race.^[17][18]