Until 2009, Gunma had been a traditional "conservative kingdom" (hoshu-ōkoku), the Japanese equivalent of a"red state" in the United States. Like all single member districts in Gunma, the 1st district had been represented by theLiberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 1997. The LDP used theCosta Rica method (kosutarika-hōshiki) withKoji Omi andGenichiro Sata as alternating candidates for the district. In theelection of 2009, Omi was the LDP's candidate; incumbent Sata only ran in the Northern Kantō proportional representation block. Both Omi and Sata had represented the pre-reform three-member1st district of Gunma. TheDemocratic Party's candidate in 2009 was Takeshi Miyazaki, a former journalist for theJōmō Shimbun.[3] In 2012, Sata regained the district for the LDP.In 2013, the weekly magazineShukan Shincho accused Sata of inappropriate sexual conduct.[4] In the 2014 elections, Sata lost considerable support and did not receive endorsement fromKomeito, but still managed to hold onto his seat.
As part of the 2022 redistricting, all cities in Gunma Prefecture were consolidated into single districts, with the exception ofTakasaki. As a result of this, the district lost the parts it had gained of the cities ofKiryū,Shibukawa andMidori during the 2013 redistricting
As part of the 2013 redistricting, the district gained area in the cities of Kiryū, Shibukawa and Midori. Seta District was merged into the city of Maebashi in 2009, though the area is still covered under the boundaries of Maebashi.
4.38
3.1