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2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election

The 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election will take place on 7 July 2024 to elect the Governor of Tokyo.

2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election
← 2020 7 July 2024 2028 →
 
Yuriko Koike 20221221.jpg
Renhō.jpg
Candidate Yuriko Koike Renhō Saitō
Party Independent Independent
Supported by Tomin First, LDP, Komeito, DPFP CDP, JCP, SDP
 
広島県安芸高田市 市長 石丸伸二 (cropped).jpg
Toshio Tamogami 2014-02-02 (cropped).jpg
Candidate Shinji Ishimaru Toshio Tamogami
Party Independent Independent
Governor before election

Yuriko Koike
Independent

Elected Governor

TBD

The election will take place simultaneously with by-elections to replace 9 vacant seats in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

Background

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Incumbent Governor Yuriko Koike is running for re-election to a third term, receiving the endorsement of the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, Democratic Party For the People, as well as the regional party Tomin First no Kai, which Koike founded.[1]

Koike's main opponent is expected to be lawmaker Renhō, who has received the endorsement of the main left-wing opposition parties; the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party.[2] Shinji Ishimaru, the former Mayor of Akitakata, and Toshio Tamogami, the former Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are running without the support of any major parties.[3] Free Education For All and Sanseitō instructed its members to vote freely, while Nippon Ishin no Kai and Reiwa Shinsengumi did not field or endorse a candidate.[4]

Minor candidates include ultranationalist and anti-Korean political activist Makoto Sakurai, running under the Japan First Party,[5] and Atsuhiko Kurokawa, who was arrested in June 2024 for alleged election interference and sabotage during a House of Representatives by-election in April 2024, running under the Tsubasa Party.[6][7]

56 candidates have filed to run in the election, with nearly half of them belonging to Takashi Tachibana's NHK Party,[8] the highest number of registered candidates to date.[9] Media outlets have described the high number of candidates as being a result of the election becoming known as a forum for self-promotion and publicity stunts.[10][11]

Campaign

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Renhō giving a speech in front of Shinjuku Station
 
Shinji Ishimaru giving a speech in front of Yurakucho Itocia

The main issues in the election include declining birth rates,[12][13] environmental laws,[14] redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien area,[15] and the use of projection mapping on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.[16]

Incumbent Koike utilized her experience to garner support, delivering occasional speeches throughout Tokyo.[17] Renhō focused on street rallies and anti-LDP sentiment, typically making two speeches per day.[18] Renhō's campaign has been noted for its progressivism, advocating for LGBT inclusive policies, climate action, and intergenerational equity, which appeals to younger voters.[19][20] Shinji Ishimaru, the 41 year old who previously served as the Mayor of Akitakata, has used social media to increase his name recognition, running a populist campaign by advertising himself as a political outsider.[21] Like Renhō, he has utilized street campaigning, but instead moves from one speech location to another in 30-minute intervals to appeal for support. His campaign recruited about 5,000 volunteers to spread his activities through social media; he also has capitalized on anti-LDP sentiment.[22] Tamogami has appealed to conservatives, making speeches in front of the Defense Ministry building and having a strong stance in support of the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.[22][23]

The four main candidates have taken part in several forums and debates. A joint press conference hosted by ANN was held between Koike, Renhō, Ishimaru, and Tamogami on 19 June.[24] The four participated in a public debate hosted by Junior Chamber International (JCI) that was held on 24 June.[25]

Controversies

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Poster jacking

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Toshio Tamogami giving a speech at Oyama Happy Road

The NHK Party led by Takashi Tachibana launched a political stunt named "Operation Tokyo Gubernatorial Election Poster Display Jacking." Filing dozens of candidates for the election under their party, Tachibana was able to gain access to approximately 14,000 campaign posters throughout Tokyo. By donating to the party, donors were able to put up a poster of their choice in place of the party's posters. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stated that there are no restrictions on the content of campaign posters, except for false information, content related to other candidates' campaigns, and content that violates laws. Despite this, experts raised concerns about the legal loopholes, and an online petition opposing the poster jacking gathered more than 20,000 signatures.[26][27][28]

On June 22, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department warned the party about posters in Shibuya Ward advertising a women-only adult entertainment establishment, potentially violating the Entertainment and Amusement Business Act. Tachibana removed the posters in response.[29] Additionally, posters in the same Ward featured illustrations of deceased actor Haruma Miura, leading to a protest from his former talent agency, Amuse. The donor responsible for the posters admitted to putting them up without permission, leading to Tachibana apologizing and removing the posters.[30][31]

 
Perennial candidate Teruki Gotō holding a freestyle rap session

The Tokyo Metropolitan Election Commission received over 1,000 complaints from residents regarding the posters between June 20 and June 21. Secretary-General of the LDP Toshimitsu Motegi expressed the need to consider revising the Public Offices Election Act to address the poster jacking. Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, CDP Secretary-General Katsuya Okada, DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki, JCP Secretary-General Akira Koike, as well as Governor of Osaka Hirofumi Yoshimura expressed similar views.[32][33][34]

Perennial candidates

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The election has gained international attention due to the large amount of joke parties and perennial candidates participating,[35] which includes 96-year-old inventor Yoshiro Nakamatsu, internet comedian 'AI Mayor', Yusuke Kawai, the self-proclaimed "Joker of Japan" who gained controversy for putting explicit campaign posters with a fully nude image of a gyaru model, which was later removed by the Metropolitan Police Department,[36] and a candidate from the 'Poker Party' who advocates for economic and political reforms through the card game.[37][38] Governor of Tottori Shinji Hirai said in a remark to the Tottori prefectural assembly that the influx of joke and perennial candidates in the election showed that “democracy is at risk of collapse.”[35]

Xenophobia

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Sakurai, the Japan First Party candidate, has long been noted for his xenophobia, founding the anti-Zainichi Korean organization Zaitokukai in 2007. During a campaign speech in front of Ikebukuro Station, Sakurai accused a 24-hour Chinese store located near the station of hosting "400 Chinese mafia's," claiming that the Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed the information, however, this was later denied. In the same campaign speech, Sakurai further claimed that public safety in Ikebukuro is "being threatened due to the rise in Chinese immigrants".[39]

Threats

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Makoto Sakurai's campaign vehicle in front of Shinjuku Station

Koike and Renhō's campaign headquarters received a series of threatening letters with death and bomb threats. Both campaigns have filed damage reports with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the incident is being investigated on suspicion of intimidation.[40]

  • On June 23, a fax was sent to Renhō's campaign office with the message "I will stab her with a knife and kill her." The fax also contained statements such as "I have obtained sulfuric acid" and "I will plant a bomb and detonate it on June 24th."[41]
  • On June 24, a letter almost identical to the fax sent to the Renhō campaign was sent to the Toshima Ward office of Tomin First no Kai, the local party which endorsed Koike, stating that they had "splashed sulfuric acid" and "planted explosives."[42]

Additionally, a death threat was delivered to the female model behind Kawai's explicit campaign posters, resulting in Kawai cancelling his planned campaign speeches.[43]

Results

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Tokyo gubernatorial election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent[a] Yuriko Koike (incumbent)
Independent[b] Renhō
Independent Shinji Ishimaru
Independent Toshio Tamogami
Japan First Makoto Sakurai
Anti-NHK Katsuya Fukunaga
Anti-NHK Hiroaki Inubushi
Anti-NHK Takashi Takeuchi
Anti-NHK Shinichi Endou
Anti-NHK Muneyuki Jouraku
Anti-NHK Taizou Ninomiya
Anti-NHK Tomoya Nakae
Anti-NHK Yumeto Funabashi
Anti-NHK Shinichi Yamada
Anti-NHK Hideaki Katou
Anti-NHK Atsushi Kusao
Anti-NHK Daisaku Tsumura
Anti-NHK Midori Yokoyama
Anti-NHK Taichi Maeda
Anti-NHK Shunsuke Minami
Anti-NHK Shirubi Fukuhara
Anti-NHK Yoshitaka Kimura
Anti-NHK Youichi Miwa
Anti-NHK Yoshiharu Matsuo
Tsubasa Atsuhiko Kurokawa
Future Party Mitsuki Kimiya
Citizens' Political Association Satoru Utsumi
Association for a Safe Future with Kuniaki Shimizu and Tokyo Kuniaki Shimizu
AI Party AI Mayor
Prevent Medical Kume Kei Victims Association and Soka Gakkai Eradication Party Mariko Kuwahara
Love & Peace Party Teruki Gotō
Association to Increase Voter Turnout and Joker Members of Parliament Yuusuke Kawai
Nuclear Fusion Party Yasufumi Kuwashima
Conqueror Party Takuji Kagata
Party to Impeach Five Supreme Court Judges Makoto Furuta
Neo Shogunate Akinori Party Akinori Shougunmiman
Independent Shou Nomaguchi
Independent Shigemi Sawa
Independent Yukio Yamato
Independent Hisao Naito
Independent Yoshiro Nakamatsu
Independent Takahiro Anno
Independent Airi Uchino
Independent Yukito Ishimaru
Independent Ayumi Ozeki
Independent Ken Komatsu
Independent Shigeyuki Fukumoto
Independent Hiroshi Kobayashi
Independent Kenichirou Katou
Independent Akane Himasora
Independent Masanori Kougo
Independent Nobuo Ushikubo
Independent Jin Hokari
Turnout

Simultaneous by-elections

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By-elections for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly are scheduled to be held simultaneously with the gubernatorial election to fill the vacancies of the following seats:

  • Kōtō Ward electoral district: Ikki Yamazaki resigns due to his candidacy for the 2023 Kōtō Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
  • Shinagawa Ward electoral district: Kyoko Morisawa resigns due to her candidacy for the 2022 Shinagawa Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
  • Nakano Ward electoral district: Chiharu Araki resigns due to her candidacy for the 2022 House of Councillors election (automatic loss of seat).
  • Kita Ward electoral district: Kanako Yamada resigns due to her candidacy for the 2023 Kita Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
  • Itabashi Ward electoral district: Resignation of Kinoshita Fumiko.
  • Adachi Ward electoral district: Naoki Takashima, died in office.
  • Hachioji electoral district: Ken Nishiyama, died in office.
  • Fuchu electoral district: Kinji Suzuki, died in office.
  • Minamitama electoral district: Ryoichi Ishikawa, died in office.

References

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  3. ^ "広島県安芸高田市の石丸伸二市長、東京都知事選に出馬へ". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 16 May 2024. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
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  6. ^ 中山知子. "東京都知事選「獄中立候補」つばさの党代表黒川敦彦容疑者が表明 党が声明文を公表 - 社会 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  7. ^ 産経新聞 (13 June 2024). "つばさの党代表の黒川敦彦容疑者、獄中から都知事選出馬へ 声明文を発表". 産経新聞：産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Poster pranks cause chaos in Tokyo gubernatorial election campaign". Kyodo News+. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
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  10. ^ Takahara, Kanako (21 June 2024). "PR opportunity pushes Tokyo governor candidates to record number". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
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  12. ^ McCurry, Justin (20 June 2024). "Tokyo election: demographic crisis the top issue as two women vie for job of governor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
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  16. ^ "【詳報】小池百合子都知事、蓮舫氏が挙げた「争点」には答弁せず 都議会代表質問 3選出馬も表明なし：東京新聞 TOKYO Web". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  17. ^ Inoue, Yukana (24 June 2024). "Koike and Renho adopt contrasting approaches to Tokyo election". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
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  19. ^ Inoue, Yukana (13 June 2024). "Renho, the liberal politician who might dethrone Tokyo's Koike". The Japan Times. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Female Opposition Lawmaker Set to Challenge Tokyo Governor Koike". Bloomberg.com. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  21. ^ "「政治屋の一掃」掲げる石丸氏 親しみやすさアピールの田母神氏 東京都知事選（TBS NEWS DIG Powered by JNN）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b Shimbun, The Yomiuri (24 June 2024). "Strategies Emerge Amid Campaign for Tokyo Governor; Koike Focuses on Official Duties, Renho on Speeches". japannews.yomiuri.co. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  23. ^ "「伝統保守」掲げる田母神俊雄氏 靖国神社に参拝後、古巣・防衛省前で演説 東京都知事選：東京新聞 TOKYO Web". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  24. ^ ANNnewsCH (19 June 2024). 【ライブ】東京都知事選 立候補予定者4氏による共同記者会見【LIVE】(2024年6月19日)ANN/テレ朝. Retrieved 26 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ ReHacQ−リハック−【公式】 (24 June 2024). 東京都知事選2024！公開討論会【小池百合子vs石丸伸二vs田母神俊雄vs蓮舫】. Retrieved 26 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "「掲示板ジャック」に問題は？寄付で選挙ポスターが貼れる…NHK党の"やり方"は「法律の穴を突いている」【Nスタ解説】 | TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ)". TBS NEWS DIG (in Japanese). 14 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  27. ^ 共同通信社. "NHKから国民を守る党の寄付者ポスター掲示に反対 オンライン署名２万筆超 - 社会 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  28. ^ "NHK党のポスター枠「販売」いいの？ 都知事選に大量擁立の立花孝志党首 法の抜け穴突く「荒稼ぎ作戦」：東京新聞 TOKYO Web". 東京新聞 TOKYO Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  29. ^ "都知事選 NHK党の「掲示板ジャック」"女性専用風俗"ポスターめぐり風営法違反の可能性 立花党首に警告 警視庁 | TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ)". TBS NEWS DIG (in Japanese). 23 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  30. ^ 大井義明. "立花孝志氏、三浦春馬さん肖像使用のポスター掲示を謝罪「アミューズ様、ご遺族の皆さま…」 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  31. ^ "《アミューズが「強い憤り」緊急声明》都知事選で「三浦春馬さんの選挙ポスター」をYouTuberが大量掲示 ファンは「不謹慎すぎる」と悲痛の声". NEWSポストセブン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  32. ^ 産経新聞 (21 June 2024). "「見ていて恥ずかしい、一定の制限を」都知事選の全裸ポスター問題に維新の吉村共同代表". 産経新聞：産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  33. ^ 日本放送協会 (25 June 2024). "都知事選ポスター問題 公職選挙法見直し検討必要 自民 茂木氏 | NHK". NHKニュース. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  34. ^ "共産・小池晃氏 都知事選〝不適切ポスター〟に苦言「現行法、条例に基づいて規制すべき」". 東スポWEB (in Japanese). 24 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Tokyo's Historic Race for Governor Is Full of Joke Candidates". Bloomberg.com. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  36. ^ Hernon, Matthew (27 June 2024). "A Guy Dressed Like The Joker Is Running for Governor of Tokyo". Tokyo Weekender (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Joke candidates flood Tokyo's governor race". The Straits Times. 3 July 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Unconventional candidates steal spotlight in Japan's historic elections". Firstpost. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  39. ^ "都知事候補・桜井誠氏「400人の中国マフィアがいる」名指しされた池袋の中国物産店を直撃「もう慣れてるけど…関係ない」と呆れ顔（SmartFLASH）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  40. ^ "小池、蓮舫両氏に脅迫文/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  41. ^ 日本放送協会 (24 June 2024). "東京都知事選に立候補 蓮舫氏に殺害予告 脅迫の疑いで捜査 | NHK". NHKニュース. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  42. ^ 日本テレビ. "「硫酸をかけて失明させる」小池百合子氏の関係先に"脅迫"ファクス｜日テレNEWS NNN". 日テレNEWS NNN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  43. ^ ""ほぼ全裸"女性ポスターのモデル・桜井MIUに殺害予告 男性候補者が明かす「命の危険があるため街頭演説はできなくなりました」". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 4 July 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ Supported by Tomin First, LDP, Komeito, DPFP
  2. ^ Supported by CDP, JCP, SDP
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