2023-12-17 12:41:00
The Tokyo Musashino mayoral election was announced on the 17th following the resignation of the incumbent, and former city council member Yasuhiro Omino (61), both new and independent, is recommended by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, and the Constitutional Democratic Party, Communist Party, Reiwa Shinsengumi, Social Democratic Party, and Social Democratic Party. Former city council member Yuko Sasaoka (37), who is supported by Musashino Consumer Network, has filed her candidacy. Voting will be counted on the 24th. Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan of the Ritsumeikan Liberal Democratic Party and former House of Representatives member Masatada Tsuchiya of the Liberal Democratic Party faced off in a showdown between the ruling and opposition parties in Tokyo’s 18th Ward of the House of Representatives, where a fierce battle known as the “Dokan War” had been fought for many years. (Nobukazu Hattori, Natsuko Konno, Katsunori Hanai)
◆ Mr. Omino: “Conservative-centrist politics” Mr. Sasaoka: “Inheriting the city administration”
The mayoral election was held in November following Mr. Suga announced that he would not run in the next House of Representatives election, and then-Mayor Reiko Matsushita announced her intention to become Mr. Suga’s successor and resigned as mayor. Matsushita’s predecessor as mayor has continued to have a liberal city government, and the evaluation of that is a major focus. The response to the referendum ordinance allowing foreign participation, which has been discussed in the Matsushita city government, is also attracting attention.
In his speech that day, Omino emphasized that he would “bring back conservative centrist politics.” In addition to LDP and public city councilors, Mr. Tsuchiya also made an appearance. Mr. Tsuchiya became a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives in 2005 following serving six terms as mayor, and fought a fierce battle with Mr. Suga until he lost the election in 2017. In the last House of Representatives election in 2021, he supported Akihisa Nagashima, a member of the House of Representatives who ran from Tokyo’s 18th ward following switching from Tokyo’s 21st ward (Tachikawa City, etc.), and continues to be at odds with Mr. Suga.
In response, Mr. Sasaoka has positioned himself as Mr. Matsushita’s successor candidate and has stated that he wants to “inherit and develop the city administration.” The city is adopting a liberal tone, following in the footsteps of Mr. Matsushita, who served as mayor following serving as a member of the former Democratic Party of Japan metropolitan assembly, and Mr. Suga, who had a cooperative relationship with Matsushita’s city administration. In his speech to support the city, Mr. Suga said, “Musashino is a town where the power of the citizens is strong. (Matsushita City administration) has listened to that voice.” Suga put a check on the Tsuchiya administration, and appealed for opposition to LDP forces.
Yuji Hatanaka (71), an unemployed man from the same city, pointed out, “This will be a continuation of the “Tsuchuga War,” and neither side will be able to lose.” He said, “Even if times change and election methods change, I don’t think there will be any change in the need to expand support.”
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