Key Facts
• April 19: Tsukubamirai mayoral election announced; voting on April 26.
• Incumbent Hiroshi Odagawa (58) aims for 3rd term; no other candidates yet.
• July 22: Kasumigaura mayoral term ends; incumbent Ken Miyajima (62) to retire.
• Toshiharu Kaneko (37), prefectural assembly member, likely Kasumigaura candidate.
• September 20: Shirosato mayoral term ends; incumbent Osamu Uetono (47) preparing for 4th term.
• New candidates considering Shirosato run.
• November 24: Inashiki mayoral term ends; incumbent Shintaro Kakei (57) undecided.
• Kakei won first term in 2018, re-elected unopposed in 2022.
• November 26: Hitachinaka mayoral term ends; incumbent Akira Otani (52) expected to run for 3rd term.
• Otani defeated LDP-backed newcomer by over 10,000 votes in past elections.
• January 11, 2027: Daigo mayoral term ends; incumbent Tetsuhiko Takanashi (57) likely to seek 3rd term.
• Daigo’s 2022 election was uncontested for the first time in 20 years.
Summary
The 2026 mayoral elections in Ibaraki Prefecture feature several incumbents aiming for additional terms, with key races scheduled throughout the year. Tsukubamirai’s Hiroshi Odagawa and Hitachinaka’s Akira Otani are poised for third terms, while Kasumigaura will see a new candidate, Toshiharu Kaneko, following the retirement of Ken Miyajima. Shirosato’s Osamu Uetono prepares for a fourth term amid emerging challengers. Inashiki’s Shintaro Kakei remains undecided on candidacy despite previous uncontested re-election. Daigo’s Tetsuhiko Takanashi is expected to seek a third term after a rare uncontested election in 2022. These elections reflect a mix of continuity and potential change, with voter dynamics influenced by incumbents’ established support bases and emerging new candidates.
