Key Facts
• On November 2, Namerikawa City Council election was announced with 15 candidates.
• All 15 candidates, including 82-year-old former mayor Masataka Ueda, won unopposed.
• Ueda served as city councilor for five terms (1989–2010) and mayor for three terms (2010–2022).
• He lost the 2022 mayoral election and a 2023 prefectural election.
• Ueda described his return as “the bodyguard is back” and aims to mentor younger politicians.
• His priorities include flood prevention, leveraging political connections, and promoting senior vitality.
• Ueda emphasized the importance of addressing dangerous flood risks in the city.
• He aims to secure funding from national and prefectural governments for local projects.
• The election marked the first uncontested council election in eight years.
• The council includes 12 incumbents, one former member, and two newcomers.
Summary
Masataka Ueda, an 82-year-old former mayor of Namerikawa City, has made an unusual return to politics as a city councilor after winning unopposed in the November 2 election. Ueda, who previously served as a councilor for five terms and mayor for three terms, had retired following defeats in the 2022 mayoral and 2023 prefectural elections. Describing his return as “the bodyguard is back,” Ueda expressed his commitment to mentoring younger politicians, addressing flood risks, and revitalizing senior citizens. The election, which saw 15 candidates matching the council’s seat count, marked the first uncontested council election in eight years. Ueda plans to leverage his extensive political experience and connections to secure funding for local projects and tackle unresolved issues from his mayoral tenure.
