Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has won her third term in Sunday’s gubernatorial election.
Koike addressed her supporters and cited various challenges Tokyo is facing, such as soaring prices and a falling birthrate. She has pledged to take action against the latter by expanding free childcare.
The governor said: “Our challenge is how to proceed with digital transformation as industries have changed significantly. Furthermore, the environment for women’s empowerment is insufficient compared to other parts of the world. We must raise our efforts to keep improving Tokyo.”
During the campaign, Koike stressed the achievements of her two terms in the governor’s job. The 71-year-old is a former defense minister who has served in both the upper and lower houses of Japan’s Diet. She became Tokyo’s first female governor in 2016.
Koike beat a record 55 rivals in the race, winning nearly 3 million votes. She was backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
Ishimaru Shinji, former mayor of Akitakata City in western Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture, followed Koike, earning more than 1.5 million votes without any support from political parties. He attracted many younger voters.
Former Upper House lawmaker Renho came in third.
She was backed by several opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party.