Australia
USA
Latest News
Friday, 17th June 2016
In General Japan News,
Date announced for Tokyo governor election
The local electoral commission for Tokyo has announced July 31st as the date voting will take place to find the next governor of the city.
Tokyo Gov Yoichi Masuzoe is stepping down from the role after a scandal involving political funds.
Campaigning will be allowed from July 14th and will come in the aftermath of the House of Councillors election, which is set for July 10th.
There are a number of high-profile names from the world of Japanese politics that are expected to throw their hats into the ring.
Among them are two women - Yuriko Koike, lawmaker in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party; and Renho, acting president of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Interestingly, Kenji Utsunomiya, former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, is also planning to stand.
He ran against Masuzoe in the election that saw the incumbent of the role take his position and came second, making him an obvious frontrunner in the latest contest.
Many well-known candidates tend to hang back from announcing their candidacy in Tokyo gubernatorial elections until right at the last minute.
This is thought to help them win favour with independent voters, who often decide the outcome of such races.
Masuzoe faced pressure from both the ruling party and opposition to step down after he was unable to justify his use of political funds.
They included overseas trips and visits to his holiday home at a hot spring resort just outside of Tokyo, which he travelled to in his official car.
Masuzoe’s resignation was approved on Wednesday (June 15th) and will come into effect this coming Tuesday (June 21st).
The announcement of the new vote falls within the specified timeframe that elections must be held within 50 days of an official stepping down.
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
