Kobe: Former Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito has been reelected in the gubernatorial election held in western Japan, succeeding despite previous power abuse accusations that led to his loss of position. Saito defeated former Amagasaki Mayor Kazumi Inamura in a race that saw a record seven candidates vying for the position.

According to Lao News Agency, the election was called after Saito, aged 47, faced a no-confidence motion unanimously adopted by the prefectural assembly in late September. This action resulted in Saito automatically losing his post as he neither dissolved the assembly nor resigned. Following his victory, Saito expressed his gratitude and commitment, stating, “I will do my best with gratitude and humility in mind,” and emphasized his intention to govern with an “all-Hyogo approach.”

Kazumi Inamura, aged 52, ran as an independent candidate and campaigned on the need to overhaul the administration, which had been embroiled in scandal due to the power abuse allegations against Saito. Despite th
e previous backing from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party for Saito in the 2021 election, the party did not field a candidate this time. Inamura received support from some LDP assembly members and opposition parties, drawing on her experience as the mayor of Amagasaki for 12 years starting in 2010.

The controversy surrounding Saito arose after a senior official, who later died by suicide, accused him of power abuse, including inappropriate conduct towards staff and coercing local businesses for gifts. The 60-year-old official had reported the misconduct through the prefectural government’s whistleblower office but faced a three-month suspension following an internal investigation that deemed the claims defamatory. This case led to the prefectural assembly forming a special committee for review in June, although the official’s death occurred shortly before he was to testify in July.

In addition to Saito and Inamura, the gubernatorial race included a former House of Councillors member s
upported by Japan’s second-largest opposition party, as well as the leader of a minor extremist political group. Hyogo’s gubernatorial election drew significant attention, given its implications for the major port city of Kobe, the prefecture’s capital.