Key Facts
• Kurobe Mayor Yoshikazu Takekuma announced re-election bid during September council session.
• Opposition party, Liberal Club, highlighted 42 staff resignations over the past 5 years.
• Mayor attributed resignations to changing career priorities and work-related stress.
• Debate escalated as councilor Yuichi Nakamura criticized the mayor’s office organization.
• Council session was temporarily suspended due to disputes over unrelated questions.
• Mayor emphasized achievements in local economy and plans for population decline measures.
• Liberal Club seeks alternative candidate to challenge the mayor in the upcoming election.
Summary
Kurobe Mayor Yoshikazu Takekuma confirmed his intention to run for re-election during the city council’s September session. However, the announcement was met with criticism from the opposition Liberal Club, which pointed out that 42 city employees had resigned over the past five years, citing concerns about the mayor’s leadership. The mayor attributed the resignations to evolving career priorities and work-related stress. Tensions rose when councilor Yuichi Nakamura criticized the state of the mayor’s office, leading to a temporary suspension of the session. Despite the opposition, the mayor highlighted his first-term achievements, including economic revitalization, and outlined plans to address population decline and develop the area around Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station. The Liberal Club is reportedly seeking a candidate to oppose the mayor in the upcoming election, signaling a contentious race ahead.
