Key Facts
• Yokosuka City Council by-election held on June 22, 2025, alongside mayoral election.
• Two seats contested by four candidates; voter turnout was 40.58%.
• Ayano Ebi (38) and Saori Nakagawa (56), both independents, won their first terms.
• Ebi received the highest votes: 36,552; Nakagawa followed with 33,490 votes.
• Ebi, a dog trainer, participated in disaster rescue efforts during major earthquakes.
• Ebi plans to promote disaster preparedness, community ties, and animal-friendly policies.
• Nakagawa, a union member, campaigned without an office, relying on posters and pamphlets.
• Nakagawa’s platform included crime prevention via surveillance cameras and support for care facilities.
• Both defeated candidates, Nozomi Mita (26) and Maki Uchikawa (54), failed to expand support.
Summary
The Yokosuka City Council by-election, held on June 22, 2025, resulted in the election of two independent newcomers, Ayano Ebi and Saori Nakagawa. Ebi, a dog trainer with experience in disaster rescue, secured the highest votes with 36,552. She aims to enhance disaster preparedness, foster community bonds, and create an animal-friendly city. Nakagawa, a union member, garnered 33,490 votes through a minimalist campaign focused on crime prevention and care facility support. The voter turnout was 40.58%. Both defeated candidates, Nozomi Mita and Maki Uchikawa, were unable to gain sufficient backing. This election highlights the public’s support for fresh perspectives in local governance.
