His party faces a tough election in Japan next week.

"Like any election, I run as if it's the toughest election of my life."

"Temporarily, but there's another tough election coming up, and us old warmongers are in a bad spot."

"And we still have an incumbent who's won two tough elections."

With tough elections coming up, perhaps it's a subtle shout-out to the fashion vote.

"I think we just have a tough, hard competitive election coming up."

It has not reached the intensity of 1992, but scholars say these cultural divisions could be heightened by a tough, close election.

It will be a tough election for us in November, no matter what.

This image will undoubtedly help the governing party in what most analysts believe will be a tough election ahead.

Farhat was a two-term incumbent who had faced tough elections in the past.