Tokyo governor voting sets record of 56 candidates
2024-07-07
A record 56 candidates are running in Sunday's 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, more than double the number for the 2020 race. JIANG XUEQING/CHINA DAILY
Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday to elect the next Tokyo governor. On July 7, the Election Day, voting was open from 7 am to 8 pm. Early voting began on June 21 and ended on Saturday.
The election is anticipated to focus on the performance of incumbent Yuriko Koike during her eight years leading the metropolitan government. Koike is seeking a third, four-year term.
The election is also seen as a proxy battle between Japan's ruling and opposition parties, with Koike, supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito, facing opposition-backed politician Renho.
A record 56 candidates are running in the Tokyo gubernatorial election this year, more than double the number for the 2020 race.
Japanese voters head to a polling station at a primary school in Tokyo on July 7 to elect the next Tokyo governor. JIANG XUEQING/CHINA DAILY
Notable candidates include Toshio Tamogami, former chief of staff of Japan's Air Self-Defense Force, and Shinji Ishimaru, former mayor of Akitakata in the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima.
According to a survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun from June 28 to 30, 92 percent of voters said they were "very much" or "somewhat" interested in the gubernatorial election.
