News in Pictures / Koike Wins 56-Candidate Tokyo Gubernatorial Race; Poster Board Misuse, Jeering at Street Speeches Cause Disruption
14:04 JST, July 9, 2024
Many unusual elements were seen during the campaign period for Sunday’s Tokyo gubernatorial election. With a record 56 candidates in the running, incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike, who has led the capital for two four-year terms, retained her position.
The NHK Party political organization and affiliated groups fielded 24 candidates and transferred rights to display posters to third parties for a fee. The boards for the election saw many posters unrelated to any candidate.
Koike, 71, pursued a strategy of prioritizing her official duties, and she emphasized her track record as governor during her street speeches. She reached out to younger generations on social media through such efforts as posting videos featuring an AI-generated newscaster character named AI Yuriko that looked just like her.
The capital has a mountain of issues to address, including a chronically low birth rate and the need to increase preparedness for a possible large earthquake directly underneath it. “I will speed up reforms,” said Koike.
Looking back on the election campaign, Koike said she had been threatened and jeered at during street speeches. “It was an election like I’d never experienced before,” Koike said. “Should elections benefit those who bring disruption? We need to discuss this from various perspectives.”
Shinji Ishimaru, 41, former mayor of the city of Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, was the runner-up. When Koike’s projected victory was announced Sunday night, Ishimaru said, “I can say with confidence that I’ve done everything I could.” He spent much of his time raising his profile through street speeches, introducing himself and explaining his political stance. These activities were circulated via social media among young people and voters with no preferred political party.
Former House of Councillors member Renho, 56, ended up in third place. “I wasn’t competitive enough. I’m very sorry,” Renho said.
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