Polls opened Sunday to elect a new Tokyo governor, with incumbent Yuriko Koike being challenged by opposition figure Renho, two prominent women in Japan’s male-dominated political scene. Japan has never had a woman prime minister, and most lawmakers are men, but Tokyo, representing a tenth of the population and a fifth of the economy, has been governed by former television anchor Koike, 71, since 2016.
While fewer people now see the former defence and environment minister as a future prime minister, polls suggest the media-savvy conservative will win a third term in the city of 14 million. This would be a relief for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who supports Koike despite her 2017 departure from the LDP.
Kishida, facing low public support due to a political funds scandal, will also contest the LDP leadership election later this year. The Tokyo election follows government data showing a record low birth rate of 1.20 last year, with Tokyo’s figure at 0.99—the first region in Japan to fall below one.
Both Koike and her closest rival Renho, who uses a single name, have promised to increase parenting support. Koike has pledged subsidized epidurals, while Renho has focused on supporting young people and transparent fiscal reforms. Independent candidate Shinji Ishimaru, 41, a former mayor and banker, is also gaining attention as a dark horse in the race.
A record 56 candidates are running, with some using unconventional methods like dressing as “The Joker” or calling for legalizing polygamy. Early voting turnout is up 20 percent from 2020, suggesting increased voter engagement. Polls will close at 8:00 pm (1100 GMT).
