Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike Secures Third Term in Gubernatorial Election
In a decisive victory, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has won a third consecutive term in Sunday’s gubernatorial election, according to exit polls. The 71-year-old, the first female governor of Japan’s most populous city, will continue to lead Tokyo for another four years.
Her re-election is seen as a relief for struggling Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who supported Koike in her bid for a third term. Koike, who was first elected in 2016 and won her second term in 2020, successfully navigated the city through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and the delayed summer Olympics in 2021.
One of the key issues in this campaign was Japan’s declining fertility rate, with Tokyo having one of the lowest birth rates in the country. Koike will now have to focus on addressing this issue and improving the city’s demographic challenges.
As one of the most powerful women in Japan’s male-dominated political landscape, Koike’s victory solidifies her position as a key figure in the country’s politics. Tokyo, accounting for a significant portion of the population and GDP, gives her substantial influence over the city’s budget, which has reached a staggering 16.55 trillion yen.
In her victory speech, Koike emphasized the importance of digital transformation and improving the environment for women’s empowerment in Tokyo. She also highlighted the need to address the changing industries and economic landscape of the city.
Unexpectedly, independent candidate Shinji Ishimaru, a former mayor from Hiroshima prefecture, placed second in the election, ahead of Renho Saito, who was expected to be Koike’s main opponent. Ishimaru’s appeal to young voters and focus on economic advancement helped him secure a strong position in the race.
Overall, the gubernatorial election in Tokyo was seen as a proxy war between national parties, reflecting the broader climate of mistrust towards politics in Japan. Despite challenges and criticisms, Koike’s victory cements her position as a prominent figure in Japanese politics, with a mandate to lead Tokyo through the next four years.
