Politics Tokyo gubernatorial elections: Koike vs Renho

It looks as if the gubernatorial elections in Tokyo next July will boil down to a female battle of titans: while the incumbent governor Koike Yuriko was "asked to run for a third term", opposition lawmaker Renho announced today that she will run, too, setting the stage for a likely showdown with Koike.

The mudslinging has already started today: while Renho, whose Taiwanese-Japanese dual nationality has always been under scrutiny, was accused of being too aggressive, Koike faced allegations of actually never having graduated from Cairo University.

It appears the LDP will not field any candidate against Koike, knowing they stand no chance (see Shizuoka).

Renho is known for her combative stance and often blunt remarks, particularly during public discussions aimed at weeding out waste in government programs when the Democratic Party of Japan, a predecessor of the CDPJ, was in power from 2009 to 2012. Born to a Taiwanese father and a Japanese mother, she has also faced scrutiny over her former dual-nationality status, which is not allowed under Japanese law. The TV anchorwoman-turned-politician goes by her given name, although her full name is Renho Saito. She is serving her fourth term as an upper-house member of the Tokyo constituency after first being elected in 2004.

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Koike, a 71-year-old adviser to a regional political party who also served as Japan's first female defense minister, is expected to run for the Tokyo gubernatorial election on July 7 in a bid to secure her third four-year term. With the scandal-hit LDP unlikely to field its own candidate, Koike may explore cooperating with the LDP and its junior coalition ally the Komeito party.

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Paywall alert:

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has decided to run for a third term in the capital's gubernatorial election next month, Nikkei learned on Monday, in a reelection campaign serving as a referendum on her record over the past eight years. She will face a crowded field of more than thirty contenders. Lawmaker Renho of the centre-left opposition Constitutional Democratic Party has signalled her intention to join the race, setting the stage for a matchup between two high-profile female politicians.

Paywall alert:


For reasons unknown, she has also released an AI version of herself, "AI Yuriko" (AIゆりこ), to present "AI YURIKO NEWS":

According to a Kyodo News survey released Sunday, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko holds a narrow poll lead ahead of the Tokyo gubernatorial election on 7 July. Koike, aged 71 and aiming for her third consecutive four-year term, is supported by the ruling bloc. Her main competitor, Renho, aged 56 and a former upper house lawmaker backed by the main opposition, closely trails her in popularity. Among other candidates, Ishimaru Shinji, aged 41 and former mayor of Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, has gained significant support recently. Meanwhile, Tamogami Toshio, aged 75 and former Air Self-Defense Force chief, has not seen a notable increase in popularity. The survey also indicated that more than 10 per cent of voters remain undecided on their choice for the upcoming election.

By political party, over 50 percent of LDP supporters and around 70 per cent of Komeito supporters in the telephone survey have indicated they will vote for Koike. Renho, meanwhile, has garnered support from 70 per cent of the backers of the CDPJ, and around 80 per cent of those of the JCP. Among supporters of the Japan Innovation Party, which has decided not to field its own candidate, over 40 per cent favored Ishimaru while around 30 per cent leaned toward Koike. Non-aligned voters largely supported Koike at just under 30 per cent, while Ishimaru and Renho each received backing from around 20 per cent. Asked what the top policy priority is for the capital, 22.7 per cent of survey respondents said medical care and other welfare, followed by 22.4 per cent with economy and employment and 20.3 per cent with education and child care.

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Meanwhile, in another editorial, Mainichi raised the question of whether the media emphasis on gender in the Tokyo election coverage revealed misogyny.

"The capital showdown is going to be a 'cat fight,'" "Women's ugly battle," "Female showdown," "Battle of the heroines," "Empress showdown" -- these are some of the headlines that appeared in online media and weekly magazines in late May when Renho's candidacy started swirling around. Why does media coverage on this topic tend to have a sexist tone, and would it be the same if the two main candidates were both men? The Mainichi Shimbun asked gender studies experts on the issue.

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No change in Tokyo Metropolitan. Yuriko won her third term, and Renho came in third. Voter turnout: some 34%.

よし Yuriko-san, let's cut down more trees.

thomas said:

No change in Tokyo Metropolitan. Yuriko won her third term, and Renho came in third. Voter turnout: some 34%.

よし Yuriko-san, let's cut down more trees.

Koike secures her third four-year term as governor of Tokyo | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Tokyo Gov. Koike reelected, beating opposition Renho, rising ex-mayor - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Incumbent Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike was reelected in Sunday's gubernatorial election with the effective backing of the ruling party, si

mainichi.jp

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I saw a higher figure for the turnout on NHK: 39%, two percentage points up on last time.

I don't like tree-slayer Koike much but do have to admit she's competent. She hasn't caused any major problems in her 8 years. And after seeing the mess that 14 years of an incompetent government made with Britain, I am increasingly wanting competence. Britain has just voted in a dull but hard-working and clever centrist, and I am very relieved.

Lothor said:

I saw a higher figure for the turnout on NHK: 39%, two percentage points up on last time.

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You are right: it was around 34% at 18:00; I'm glad it's increased to a staggering 39%.

Tokyo's elections have shown the power of demographics: It was the senior citizens who (literally) cast their votes, and they will continue to dictate the country's political future.

Lothor said:

I don't like tree-slayer Koike much but do have to admit she's competent. She hasn't caused any major problems in her 8 years. And after seeing the mess that 14 years of an incompetent government made with Britain, I am increasingly wanting competence. Britain has just voted in a dull but hard-working and clever centrist, and I am very relieved.

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After the disastrous EP elections in June, with the right-wing raising its ugly head, it's delightful to see that the UK voters made a sensible decision. And listening to the news right now, French voters have once more prevented a swing to the extreme right. Chapeau!

thomas said:

You are right: it was around 34% at 18:00; I'm glad it's increased to a staggering 39%.

Tokyo's elections have shown the power of demographics: It was the senior citizens who (literally) cast their votes, and they will continue to dictate the country's political future.




After the disastrous EP elections in June, with the right-wing raising its ugly head, it's delightful to see that the UK voters made a sensible decision. And listening to the news right now, French voters have once more prevented a swing to the extreme right. Chapeau!

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According to Wikipedia, the turnout was as high as 61%! 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election - Wikipedia

I really hope that the centre and the left/Greens can cooperate in France. The early signs in the UK are good, with Starmer reaching out to people in other parties if they happen to be the best person for the job. Both British and French people need to see a few years of pragmatic and humane politics to prevent them from running to far right parties because they feel they have nothing to lose.