The official campaign period for the Tokyo gubernatorial election started Thursday.
As of 10:15 a.m. Thursday, 11 people had filed their candidacies, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Election Administration Commission.
The candidates include Taro Yamamoto, 45, leader of minor opposition party Reiwa Shinsengumi; incumbent Yuriko Koike, 67; former Japan Federation of Bar Associations President Kenji Utsunomiya, 73, and Taisuke Ono, 46, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Campaigning has started amid the unusual circumstances of battling the novel coronavirus. Assessing how well Koike has led the metropolitan government for four years will be a key issue, as will measures against the virus and how to handle the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which have been postponed for one year until next summer.
Among national political parties, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided to let each of its members choose for themselves who they will vote for. The LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito is likely to support Koike.
Utsunomiya will be supported by the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party.
Nippon Ishin no Kai will endorse Ono, while the Democratic Party for the People will also let its party members decide for themselves who to vote for.
The election will be held on July 5.
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