Kyoto Mayoral Election Campaign Kicks Off

A Battle Between Newcomers for the First Time in 16 Years

KYOTO, Jan 21 (News On Japan) - Kyoto's mayoral election campaign will officially launched on January 21, with the race to be contested solely by newcomers for the first time in 16 years due to the incumbent's retirement.

Four independent newcomers have completed preliminary procedures with the Election Management Committee to declare their candidacy: Masashi Ninoyu, a former member of the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly (44); Kazuhito Fukuyama, a former vice president of the Kyoto Bar Association, supported by the Communist Party (62); Takaharu Matsui, a former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Komeito Party, and the Democratic Party for the People (63); and Yoshihide Murayama, a former member of the Kyoto City Council (45).

The campaign will feature debates on various issues, including measures to support education and child-rearing, strategies to combat the negative impacts of "overtourism," and efforts toward fiscal reconstruction. The acceptance of candidacy applications for the Kyoto mayoral election will take place from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, followed by a 14-day election campaign. Voting will be held on February 4, with the votes being counted on the same day.

by Brian Dentry

Source: NHK

World's Largest E-Scooter Service Announces Full-Scale Japan Entry

Lime, the world’s largest electric scooter-sharing service, has announced a collaboration with a major insurance company to pursue a full-scale entry into the Japanese market.

Man Suspected of Abducting 3 Girls, 1 Dead

A man was arrested in Higashi-Osaka for allegedly abducting three girls, one of whom has died, with around 80 empty medicine shells discovered in his home.

Prince Hisahito Becomes Adult Imperial Family Member at 18

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Japan's Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino, turned 18 on September 6, officially becoming an adult member of the Imperial family.

Former Olympic Skateboard Venue to Open as Public Sports Park

The Ariake Urban Sports Park, which will open next month at the former Tokyo Olympic skateboarding site, was previewed Thursday ahead of its official opening on October 12.

Japan's Real Wages Increase for Second Month

The total cash earnings received by workers in Japan increased by 3.6% in July compared to last year, marking the second consecutive month of positive growth in real wages after adjusting for inflation.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Shinjiro Koizumi Talks of Reform 56 Times, Echoes Father's Rhetoric

Shinjiro Koizumi, the former Environment Minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, recently announced his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership. During the press conference, Koizumi emphasized his reform agenda, frequently using phrases like 'reforms without sanctuary' and 'trinity reforms,' reminiscent of the slogans used by his father.

How Japan's Biggest Idiot Singlehandedly Destroyed a Political Party

Tachibana Takashi spent thirteen years building a popular political movement, and immediately destroyed it all with extremely simple blunders. (Japanalysis)

Hyogo Governor Issued Over 2,000 Orders During Nights and Holidays

In ongoing investigations over power harassment, Governor Saito of Hyogo Prefecture allegedly issued more than 2,000 work-related directives via chat to senior officials during nights and holidays over the course of a year.

Australia-Japan Frame Key Defence Initiatives

Japan and Australia have framed a series of new initiatives and dialogues, ranging from economic security, Pacific digital development, working with the US on strategic communications to bolster the commitment to collective deterrence against force and coercion in the Indo-Pacific. (aspistrategist.org.au)