Key Facts
• Mika Yokota, 54, announced her candidacy for Hiroshima Governor on September 1.
• Yokota resigned as Vice Governor to run as an independent candidate.
• She is the first to declare candidacy for the November 9 election.
• Yokota, a University of Tokyo graduate, has held roles in the Ministry of Agriculture and as Vice Governor of Toyama Prefecture.
• Current Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki announced his retirement on August 20 after four terms.
• Yuzaki encouraged Yokota to run, emphasizing continuity of his administration.
• Yokota plans to focus on employment, regional economy, Hiroshima branding, and nuclear disarmament.
• Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Speaker Takashi Nakamoto expressed personal support but awaits formal decisions on party backing.
• The election will be officially announced on October 23, with voting on November 9.
Summary
Mika Yokota, former Vice Governor of Hiroshima, has declared her candidacy for the upcoming Hiroshima Governor election, becoming the first to do so. Yokota, 54, aims to continue and expand the policies of current Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, who will retire after four terms. Her campaign will focus on strengthening employment, the regional economy, Hiroshima’s brand, and promoting nuclear disarmament. Speaker Takashi Nakamoto of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly expressed personal support for Yokota, though formal party backing remains undecided. The election will be officially announced on October 23, with voting scheduled for November 9.
