Campaigning for Tokyo's gubernatorial election has begun, with incumbent Yuriko Koike challenged by opposition figure Renho, prominent women in Japan's largely male-dominated political scene. Both candidates pledge to bolster support for child-rearing amid Tokyo's enduring low birth rates, addressing critical demographic issues.

Koike, aged 71 and seeking her third term as governor of the 14-million-strong megacity, has led the city's Covid-19 response and coordinated the postponed Tokyo Olympics since becoming its first female governor in 2016.

Japanese media reports indicate a record 50 candidates have filed for the election, with the final count to be announced today. Renho, 56, a former model and TV anchor known mononymously, poses a significant challenge to Koike.

Renho has positioned herself as a liberal voice opposing the long-standing conservative dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Both Koike and Renho are running as independents, with unofficial backing from the LDP for Koike.

Statistics from the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party highlight that Japan has yet to see a female prime minister, with men making up 84 percent of lawmakers. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has underscored Japan's declining birth rate as a pressing societal concern, dropping to a record low of 1.20 children per woman nationwide last year, and below one in Tokyo for the first time at 0.99.

Koike aims to create a Tokyo where financial challenges do not hinder child-rearing and education, proposing expanded funding for epidural pain relief during labor and increased rental assistance for families, alongside existing initiatives like free public high schools.

Renho plans to continue and expand upon Koike's efforts to ease parental burdens, support youth, and address labor inequality. Having overseen administrative reforms with the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan, Renho recently left the CDP, emphasizing her stance against the LDP and her distinct governance approach from Koike.

In an innovative campaign strategy, Koike has introduced an AI version of herself proficient in English to deliver updates from Tokyo's city government.