Key Facts
• Ito mayoral election held on December 14 due to previous mayor’s dismissal.
• Voter turnout at 6 PM reached 56.38%, 6.73 points higher than May’s election.
• Nine candidates are running, including former mayor Tatsuya Ono (62) and ex-mayor Maki Takubo (55).
• Election triggered by academic fraud scandal and two no-confidence votes against the previous mayor.
• Voting conducted at 24 locations from 7 AM to 8 PM, with results expected late at night.
• Eligible voters: 26,541 men and 29,807 women, totaling 56,348.
• Key issue: Restoring stability to city governance after six months of disruption.
Summary
The Ito mayoral election, held on December 14, has drawn nationwide attention following the dismissal of the previous mayor over an academic fraud scandal. By 6 PM, voter turnout reached 56.38%, significantly surpassing the 49.65% turnout in May’s election. Nine candidates, including former mayor Tatsuya Ono and ex-mayor Maki Takubo, are competing to address the city’s six months of political instability. Voting took place across 24 locations, with results expected late at night. The election’s primary focus is on restoring stability and progress to the city’s administration.
