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This article was generated by AI using the original script from the podcast “Elections in Japan by Kaori with Han” recorded on July 7, Sunday at 20:00.

Full Guide to the Upcoming Tokyo Gubernatorial Election

Hello and welcome to Blue Eye Sensei. Today, we are taking an in-depth look at the Tokyo gubernatorial election, which officially kicked off on June 20th, with election day set for July 7th. This guide will cover the three main candidates: Yuriko Koike, Renho, and Shinji Ishimaru. We will discuss their backgrounds, platforms, and the broader political environment affecting their campaigns. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the context, we will first give an overview of the Japanese election system and how it operates.

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Table of Contents

General Overview of Japanese Elections

Japan is a country with a representative democracy system. Japanese voters regularly go to the polls to elect members of the National Diet, Japan’s parliament. In the House of Representatives elections, each voter casts two votes: one for an individual candidate and one for a political party.
  • The first method, the “single-seat constituency” method, may be more familiar to Americans. Voters choose from a list of candidates, and the one with the most votes wins.
  • The second method, the “proportional representation” method, is more common in Europe. In this system, voters select from a list of parties within their region, and each party gains seats in the House of Representatives based on the proportion of votes they receive. For example, the House of Representatives consists of 475 members, with 295 elected from single-seat constituencies and the remaining 180 seats filled through proportional representation. The country is divided into 11 large electoral blocs for this purpose. Voters in each bloc vote for political parties, which then appoint representatives based on the proportion of votes received.
Additionally, Japanese citizens living abroad can also vote in national elections. Japanese expatriates cast their votes at diplomatic missions such as consulates in their respective countries. This system differs slightly from the American system, where expatriate voters send their ballots by mail.

Election Types in Japan

The main types of elections in Japan are:

  • General Elections: These are held for the House of Representatives, the lower house of Japan’s bicameral parliament, the National Diet. Members of this house are elected every four years, although the prime minister can dissolve the house and call for early elections.
  • Senate Elections: These are held for the House of Councillors, the upper house of the National Diet. Members of this house are elected for six-year terms, with half of the members being re-elected every three years.
  • Local Elections: These are held for local governments at the prefectural, city, town, and village levels. In these elections, governors, mayors, and local assembly members are elected. Local elections are typically held every four years.
  • Special Elections: These are held to fill vacant seats due to the death, resignation, or other reasons of a member. These elections are conducted as needed to fill the vacancies.

Main Political Parties

  • Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): The dominant conservative party that has been in power almost continuously since 1955.
  • Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP): The main opposition party with a center-left ideology.

Election Process

The election process in Japan involves the following steps:

  • Registration and Voting: Voters must be registered on an official voter list to vote on election day.
  • Election Campaigns: Candidates and parties campaign to reach voters through various events and media during the designated campaign period. There are strict rules on campaign periods and election spending in Japan.
  • Voting and Counting: Voters typically cast their ballots on paper, and these are counted at the end of election day. Results are usually announced within a few hours after the polls close.

Key Information

  • Voting Age: The voting age was lowered from 20 to 18 with a bill presented to the National Diet in 2015.
  • Role of the Prime Minister: In Japan, the prime minister is the head of government and is typically the leader of the largest party or coalition. The prime minister appoints the cabinet and directs government policies.
  • Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional amendments in Japan are challenging; they require the approval of two-thirds of both houses of the Diet and a majority in a national referendum.
  • Local Governments: Governors and local assemblies operate at the prefectural level, setting and implementing local policies independently of the central government.
  • Political Funding: Political party funding in Japan is tightly regulated, with public funds, donations, and membership fees being the primary sources of income.

Duties of the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor

The duties of the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor include:

  • Policy Making: The governor develops and implements policies in various areas such as education, transportation, environmental protection, and public health. This includes managing the budget and approving plans.
  • Crisis Management: In the event of natural disasters like earthquakes or typhoons, the governor takes charge of emergency management and coordinates necessary actions to minimize damage.
  • Public Service Delivery: The governor is responsible for providing effective and efficient public services to residents. This includes operating transportation systems, managing schools and hospitals, and maintaining public facilities.
  • Promoting Regional Economy: The governor works with businesses to promote regional economic growth and attract new investments.
  • Law Enforcement: The governor ensures the enforcement of local laws, including the creation and amendment of regulations.

Candidate Profiles

Yuriko Koike: Strengths and Weaknesses

Yuriko Koike is the incumbent running for her third term as the governor of Tokyo. Koike first ran in 2016, promising to break the status quo, prioritize transparency, and end corruption. To distance herself from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), she created her own party, Tokyo Citizens First, and won by a landslide. She repeated this success in the following election.

Achievements and Policies

Koike’s notable achievements include significant improvements in childcare, increasing nursery schools, and enhancing support mechanisms for women with infants and small children. Her platform for the third term includes making nursery care free of charge for all Tokyo residents, providing financial aid for epidural labor, and creating a publicly run hospital specializing in dementia. Additionally, she has outlined several initiatives to support families raising children and to enhance education. Her campaign slogans are “Making Tokyo Even Better, Reform 3.0” and “Make Tokyo the number one city in the world.”

Challenges

However, Koike’s ties with the LDP and special interest groups could pose a challenge. The LDP’s stronghold over Tokyo’s political landscape and recent national scandals have created a complex environment for her re-election. Despite her efforts to present herself as an independent, her connections with the LDP might influence public perception.

Tokyo’s budget exceeds 16.5 trillion yen, attracting various special interest groups, particularly in the construction industry. Koike’s administration has been involved in several large-scale urban development projects, such as the Jingu Gaien Park renovation, which have sparked controversy. Critics argue that these projects favor developers and special interests over the local community’s needs and environmental concerns.

Renho: The Opposition Force

Renho, a prominent figure in the opposition, is another key candidate. She has been a member of the House of Councillors since 2004 and gained fame as a key figure in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Renho’s identity throughout her political career has been defined by her opposition to the LDP, specializing in fiscal reform for transparency and efficiency.

Platform

Renho’s platform includes seven key agendas under the slogan “Create the Next Generation Tokyo with You.” She focuses on supporting the younger generation, alleviating student loan repayments, and enhancing the public educational environment. Additionally, she promises to implement policies supporting various lifestyles, whether single, married, same-sex couples, or living with pets. Renho also plans to pause and review major urban development projects like the Jingu Gaien Park renovation, addressing concerns about environmental impact and community needs.

Challenges

Renho faces challenges in block votes compared to Koike. The Tokyo branch of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation has announced they will oppose her and support Koike. Additionally, Renho’s past performance, particularly her role in the fiscal screening process during the DPJ rule, has left a mixed impression on the public. Her stance on the supercomputer budget cut in 2009, where she questioned the necessity of funding Japan’s supercomputer project, has been both praised and criticized.

During the DPJ’s rule, Renho was known for her strong stance on fiscal responsibility and transparency, often interrogating bureaucrats on budget rationales. While this approach was refreshing to some, it also drew criticism, particularly from those who believed she lacked an understanding of technological and scientific priorities.

Shinji Ishimaru: Breaking the Mold

Shinji Ishimaru, a newcomer to the Tokyo political scene, is running for the governorship after serving as the mayor of Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture. Ishimaru’s entry into this race symbolizes a battle between the establishment and new forces.

Background

Ishimaru graduated from Kyoto University with a BA in economics and began his career at Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, handling research and analysis in their New York office. He decided to enter politics when the mayor of Akitakata resigned due to a financial corruption scandal. Ishimaru undertook many reforms and used social media to show every municipal assembly debate to the public.

His election as mayor demonstrated significant public support for change and transparency. Ishimaru’s use of social media to communicate directly with constituents and broadcast municipal assembly debates highlighted his commitment to transparency and accountability.

Platform

Ishimaru’s platform is concise, focusing on three key agendas: Political restructuring, urban development, and economic development. He emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and practicality in political decisions. His approach includes enhancing readiness for natural disasters, balancing economy and ecology, and improving public education.

For political restructuring, Ishimaru plans to enhance the transparency of Tokyo governance using social media, making public services efficient through information technology, and making political decisions based on economic practicality and efficiency. In terms of urban development, he aims to enhance readiness for natural disasters, achieve a balance between economy and ecology, and solve the disparity among areas within Tokyo by investing in suburban Tokyo based on each area’s strengths. His economic development agenda focuses on improving public education, enhancing international businesses, and enhancing relationships with other parts of Japan to achieve economic and cultural synergy.

Challenges

Ishimaru faces significant challenges due to limited time for his campaign and lack of mainstream media coverage. His ability to mobilize young voters and leverage social media will be crucial for his success. However, his business-oriented approach and focus on fundamental changes have garnered attention and support.

Despite his innovative platform, Ishimaru is relatively unknown, especially among older voters who have the highest voter turnout. Mainstream media in Japan often align with the establishment, providing limited coverage of his campaign. This makes it challenging for him to reach a broader audience.

Conclusion

The Tokyo gubernatorial election is shaping up to be a dynamic and competitive race. Each candidate brings unique strengths and challenges to the table. Yuriko Koike aims to continue her reforms and maintain Tokyo’s economic strength. Renho focuses on transparency and supporting the younger generation. Shinji Ishimaru represents a fresh perspective with a business-oriented approach to governance.

Stay tuned to Blue Eye Sensei for more updates on this exciting election. Until next time, mata ne!

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