Key Facts
• On June 1, Izumi Miyazaki won the Wakayama gubernatorial election for the first time.
• Miyazaki assumed office on June 4, welcomed by 800 government staff with applause.
• The election followed the sudden passing of former Governor Shuhei Kishimoto in April 2025.
• Miyazaki, previously deputy governor, pledged to carry on Kishimoto’s policies.
• Key focus areas include strengthening measures to address population decline.
Summary
Izumi Miyazaki, newly elected governor of Wakayama Prefecture, officially assumed office on June 4, 2025. Miyazaki, who served as deputy governor, ran for the position following the unexpected death of former Governor Shuhei Kishimoto in April. During his first day in office, he expressed his commitment to continuing Kishimoto’s policies and legacy. Welcomed by 800 staff members at the prefectural office, Miyazaki emphasized his dedication to addressing critical issues such as population decline. His leadership marks a continuation of Kishimoto’s vision for Wakayama.
