Reelected Japanese Governor Koike of Tokyo "Feels Responsible"... Focuses on COVID-19 Response

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Yuriko Koike, who secured re-election as Governor of Tokyo Metropolis in Japan, stated on the 6th that she "feels the heavy weight of responsibility" and pledged to work with the national government to resolve pressing issues such as the recent cluster outbreaks of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics postponed to next year.

According to NHK and other broadcasters, Governor Koike met with reporters at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office that morning and said, "I received support exceeding expectations with 3.66 million votes. I will use the voices of the residents urging me to work more decisively as energy and prioritize COVID-19 countermeasures."

In the election held amid the COVID-19 crisis the previous day, Koike achieved a landslide victory with a vote share approaching 60%, without conducting a single street campaign. Seemingly aware of this, she appeared on her way to the office the day after the election dressed in disaster prevention attire as before.

Regarding the fact that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo has been exceeding 100 daily, Koike requested residents to refrain from unnecessary movement as much as possible and said, "I intend to focus on first preventing infections in Tokyo." She also added, "I want to protect the lives, health, and well-being of residents from COVID-19 and properly advance Tokyo's growth strategy as the economic center of Japan."

Meanwhile, Koike held a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on the same day. Prime Minister Abe congratulated her, saying, "I congratulate you on your victory with strong support," and added, "We are monitoring the situation with maximum vigilance regarding COVID-19. We must cooperate more closely than ever." In response, Koike reportedly stated that she would cooperate with the national government on COVID-19 and Tokyo Olympics matters, according to foreign media reports.