TOKYO: Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike declared victory in Sunday's (Jul 5) vote to elect the leader of one of the world's most populous cities and immediately vowed to step up the fight against a recent coronavirus resurgence.
Major media exit polls suggested a landslide victory after voting stations closed at 8pm (1100 GMT), as Koike shrugged off challenges from a wide range of candidates, many of whom were political novices.
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The 67-year-old media-savvy Koike is a rare top female leader in Japan's male-dominated politics and is often mentioned as a possible prime minister.
Many observers say her smooth performance during the coronavirus pandemic contrasted sharply with current PM Shinzo Abe, who critics say bungled Japan's response.
The postponed Olympics, due to open on Jul 23, 2021, was also a major theme of the campaign and Koike pledged to reduce the Games budget as organisers grapple with the unprecedented challenge of rescheduling the event.
Koike gave an "online" victory speech in front of a limited number of journalists to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection.
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Koike will continue running Tokyo from the imposing metropolitan building. (Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)
"The immediate issue at hand is the coronavirus," Koike said, as Tokyo has seen more than 100 new cases a day recently – many from clusters in the city's host and hostess clubs.
As for the Olympics, she said, "the coronavirus infection is also the priority here as well".
"What can we do to host a safe and secure Games? How can we reduce its cost and simplify it? I wish to continue working on our coronavirus measures so that it will become reality," she said.
Her second term begins amid a growing weariness with the Olympics, as just over half of Tokyo's residents do not think the Games should be held next year, according to a poll published late last month.
'PARTY OF HOPE'
The coronavirus also overshadowed Sunday's voting with polling station staff donning masks, face shields and plastic gloves, while tape on the floor kept voters apart.
Poll booths were sanitised after every use, and voters were urged to use hand sanitiser as they entered and exited.
The coronavirus was a constant presence during voting. (Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)
Koike's main challengers were Kenji Utsunomiya, 73, a lawyer backed by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and two other opposition parties, and Taro Yamamoto, 45, a former actor and leader of the anti-establishment party RRead More – Source
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