Tokyo residents will cast their votes on Sunday to elect a new governor for the Japanese capital in elections where current governor Yuriko Koike competes against opposition figure Renho Saito. Both women are prominent in a political field dominated by men in the country. Japan has never seen a woman serve as Prime Minister, and the vast majority of lawmakers are men. However, Tokyo, which represents one-tenth of the country's population and one-fifth of its economy, has been managed since 2016 by former television announcer Koike (71 years old).
Polls indicate that Koike, who is experienced in media, is likely to win a third consecutive term in the capital with a population of 14 million. This would provide some relief ahead of national elections due by late 2025 for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party headed by the unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who supports Koike, despite her having left the party in 2017.
The elections come after new government data showed that the average number of children a woman is expected to have reached a record low of 1.20 last year, with the figure in Tokyo at 0.99 - the first number below one in any Japanese region. Both Koike and her closest competitor Renho, who is supported by Japan's main opposition parties, have pledged to expand support for child-rearing. Koike stated, according to local media, "After having the first child, I hear people say they don’t want to experience that pain again. I want people to view childbirth and raising children as happiness, not a risk." Renho expressed, "I will implement real long-term measures for fertility and fully support young people while expanding their options. I will also achieve transparent financial reforms."
Independent candidate Shinji Ishimaru (41), a former mayor of Akita in western Japan, could surprise in the race, as recent polls have shown some undecided voters preferring him over Koike and Renho.
