While Tokyo voters took a new direction with Gov. Yuriko Koike’s Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) on Sunday, Hyogo voters opted for more of the same by
OSAKA – While Tokyo voters took a new direction with Gov. Yuriko Koike’s Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) on Sunday, Hyogo voters opted for more of the same by giving 71-year-old Gov. Toshizo Ido a fifth term on his promises to deal with the prefecture’s ailing finances and falling population.
Ido, who is also head of the eight-prefecture, four-city Union of Kansai Governments, was backed by local chapters of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, as well as the Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party. He defeated a Japan Communist Party-backed candidate and two other unaffiliated candidates.
Ido’s decision to seek a fifth term was criticized by opponents and questioned by many voters.
His main rival, 56-year-old columnist Masahiko Katsuya, who ran without party support, suggested he would try to institute term limits on the governorship if elected. In the end, voters chose Ido’s experience over Katsuya’s push for change.
“It was a hard election, with a short campaign time, and voters asked me why I was running again. By taking a firm step now with prefectural policies, the goal over the next 50 years for Hyogo Prefecture becomes closer and we can pass the baton to the younger generation, ” Ido said in his victory speech.
