Yuriko Koike Wins Third Term as Tokyo Governor, NHK Exit Poll Shows Ishimaru Second

Jul 7, 2024, 10:42 AM

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has secured a third term in office following Sunday's election, according to exit polls from NHK. The election saw a record 56 candidates, with many not seriously contending for the position. Millions of Tokyoites headed to the polls, with early voting turnout breaking previous records and overall voter engagement increasing. By 5 p.m. on election day, turnout had reached 30.53%. Koike, a conservative, faced significant challenges from opposition figures, including Renho and Shinji Ishimaru. Koike's achievements in child care and education were significant factors in her reelection. Her victory is seen as a setback for the opposition, which had hoped public dissatisfaction with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) would lead to a different outcome. Ishimaru, a Hiroshima prefectural mayor and popular online personality, managed to secure second place, while Renho, another prominent opposition figure, came in third.