"Incumbent Koike Secures Third Term in Tokyo Governor Election (Comprehensive)"

NHK Exit Poll Predicts Vote Share in the 40% Range
"Heavy Responsibility... Upgrading Tokyo Reform"

On the 7th, exit polls indicated that Yuriko Koike (小池百合子, 71), the current governor of Tokyo, is certain to win a third term, local media such as NHK and Kyodo News reported.

According to NHK's exit poll, Governor Koike's expected vote share exceeds 40%, significantly surpassing former Upper House member Renho, who garnered only in the low to mid-20% range, and former Hiroshima Prefecture Akitakata Mayor Shinji Ishimaru by a large margin. Voting began at 7 a.m. and ended at 8 a.m. on the same day. Preliminary counting results are expected late at night, with the final count anticipated to be completed by early morning on the 8th.

Immediately after the exit poll results were announced, Governor Koike met with reporters and said, "I feel the heavy responsibility of leading the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for a third term," adding, "I will upgrade reforms in Tokyo and protect the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo residents," effectively delivering her victory speech.

(Photo by EPA Yonhap News)

Although she ran as an independent this time, she received support from the ruling camp. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), affected by a 'slush fund scandal' and other issues, did not field a separate candidate and instead supported Governor Koike. She also received backing from the coalition partner Komeito Party. Renho, the candidate supported by opposition parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party, faced Koike in what was essentially a ruling versus opposition contest.

Governor Koike's campaign promises included reducing housing rent for families with young children and establishing a new support system for painless childbirth. Local media analyzed this election as an evaluation of Koike's eight years in office and her policies addressing the declining birthrate.

Renho, supported by the opposition, criticized the LDP and Governor Koike, who is backed by the LDP, during street campaigns and emphasized plans to review metropolitan projects. However, recent polls showed that over 60% of Tokyo residents positively evaluated Koike's policies, preventing Renho from overcoming the gap.

The LDP, which declared support for Governor Koike, conducted quiet support activities during the election period, such as organizing events using party organizations, instead of public endorsements by major politicians, due to ongoing backlash over the slush fund issue.

Koike, who gained recognition as a main TV anchor, entered politics and served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives, as well as Minister of Defense, Minister of the Environment, and Minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories. She ran as an independent in the 2016 Tokyo gubernatorial election, becoming the first female governor of Tokyo, and was re-elected in 2020. If successful in this third term, she will lead Tokyo for another four years.

During a press conference held during this election period, Governor Koike maintained her previous stance regarding an event commemorating Koreans massacred during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, stating she would continue not to send condolence messages, showing an exclusionary attitude toward Koreans and Joseon people.