Key Facts
• April 12, 2026: Nerima Ward mayoral election held and votes counted.
• Kenichi Yoshida (59), a newcomer and kindergarten director, wins first term.
• Yoshida defeats Kohei Ojima (37), former Tokyo assemblyman, and Kyohei Mikami (43), a company executive.
• Ojima was endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party for the People, Tokyo Citizens First, and Tokyo Restoration Party.
• Yoshida ran as a completely independent candidate without party endorsements.
• Yoshida opposed rebuilding the ward art museum, prioritizing child support and housing subsidies amid rising prices.
• Ojima was the incumbent mayor’s designated successor and received full support from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.
• Mikami failed to gain significant voter support.
• This marks another loss for the LDP in Tokyo after March’s Kiyose mayoral election.
Summary
On April 12, 2026, Kenichi Yoshida, a 59-year-old kindergarten director running as a fully independent candidate, won the Nerima Ward mayoral election, defeating former Tokyo assemblyman Kohei Ojima and company executive Kyohei Mikami. Yoshida’s campaign, supported by multiple civic groups, emphasized fairness and opposition to rebuilding the ward art museum, citing urgent needs like child support and housing subsidies amid inflation. Ojima, backed by major parties including the Liberal Democratic Party and endorsed by Governor Yuriko Koike, was the incumbent mayor’s chosen successor but failed to secure victory. Mikami’s campaign did not gain traction. Yoshida’s win represents a setback for the LDP in Tokyo local politics, following a similar loss in Kiyose City earlier in March.
