2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election
![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election will take place on 7 July 2024 to elect the Governor of Tokyo.
The election will take place simultaneously with by-elections to replace 9 vacant seats in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.
Background[edit]
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]
56 candidates have filed to run in the election, with nearly half of them belonging to Takashi Tachibana's NHK Party,[5] the highest number of registered candidates to date.[6] 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.[7][8]
Campaign[edit]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Renh%C5%8D_2024-6-30%283%29.jpg/220px-Renh%C5%8D_2024-6-30%283%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Shinji_Ishimaru_2024-6-30%282%29.jpg/220px-Shinji_Ishimaru_2024-6-30%282%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Toshio_Tamogami_2024-6-30%281%29.jpg/220px-Toshio_Tamogami_2024-6-30%281%29.jpg)
The main issues in the election include declining birth rates,[9][10] environmental laws,[11] redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien area,[12] and the use of projection mapping on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.[13]
Incumbent Koike utilized her experience to garner support, delivering occasional speeches throughout Tokyo.[14] Renhō focused on street rallies and anti-LDP sentiment, typically making two speeches per day.[15] Shinji Ishimaru, the 41 year old who previously served as the Mayor of Akitakata, has used social media to increase his name recognition. 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.[16] Tamogami has appealed to conservatives, making speeches in front of the Defense Ministry building.[16]
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.[17] The four participated in a public debate hosted by Junior Chamber International (JCI) that was held on 24 June.[18]
Poster jacking[edit]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Gaisensha_of_Makoto_Sakurai%282%29.jpg/220px-Gaisensha_of_Makoto_Sakurai%282%29.jpg)
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.[19][20][21]
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.[22] 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.[23][24]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Teruki_Got%C5%8D_2024-6-30.jpg/154px-Teruki_Got%C5%8D_2024-6-30.jpg)
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.[25][26][27]
Threats[edit]
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.[28]
- 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."[29]
- 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."[30]
Results[edit]
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[edit]
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: Yamazaki Kazuki resigns due to his candidacy for the 2023 Kōtō Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
- Shinagawa Ward electoral district: Morisawa Kyoko resigns due to his candidacy for the 2022 Shinagawa Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
- Nakano Ward electoral district: Araki Chiaki resigns due to his candidacy for the 2022 House of Councillors election (automatic loss of seat).
- Kita Ward electoral district: Yamada Kanako resigns due to his candidacy for the 2023 Kita Ward Mayoral election (automatic loss of seat).
- Itabashi Ward electoral district: Resignation of Kinoshita Fumiko.
- Adachi Ward electoral district: Takashima Naoki, died in office.
- Hachioji electoral district: Nishiyama Ken, died in office.
- Fuchu electoral district: Suzuki Kinji, died in office.
- Minamitama electoral district: Ishikawa Ryoichi, died in office.
References[edit]
- ^ "Tokyo Gov. Koike declares intention to run for third term". Nikkei Asia. 12 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Renho to run for Tokyo governor, seeks 'anti-LDP, non-Koike' stand". The Asahi Shimbun. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "自民・公明は小池氏を自主支援、立民・共産・社民は蓮舫氏を全面支援…東京都知事選挙で各党対応". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 20 June 2024. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Poster pranks cause chaos in Tokyo gubernatorial election campaign". Kyodo News+. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Record number of 56 candidates enter Tokyo's governor race". NHK World Japan. 20 June 2024. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NHK Party selling candidate poster space in Tokyo election". The Asahi Shimbun. 19 June 2024. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Inoue, Yukana (18 June 2024). "Koike and Renho take aim at Tokyo's declining birth rate". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "「後出しじゃんけん」東京だけ? 知事選の出馬表明、際立つ遅さ". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "神宮外苑再開発、高木伐採は東京都知事選の後? 遅れる樹木保全策:朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "【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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Tokyo Gov. Race Candidates Take to Streets to Promote Policies". nippon.com. 22 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "「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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "《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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.