Tokyo, July 8, 2024 – Yuriko Koike has been elected as the governor of Japan's capital, Tokyo, for the third time in a row. The 71-year-old politician secured her victory in the city elections on Sunday, receiving 2.9 million votes.

Yuriko Koike, one of the most powerful women in Japan's male-dominated political landscape, is the first female governor of Tokyo. She first assumed office in 2016 and was re-elected for a second term in 2020. Her latest victory extends her tenure for another four years.

According to exit polls, Koike won with more than 40 percent of the vote. Independent candidate Shinji Ishimaru, the former mayor of Akitakata in Hiroshima, came second, while Renho Saito, supported by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), came third.

Despite her victory, Koike faces significant challenges in her new term. One of the primary issues is Tokyo's low birth rate, which she aims to address through various action plans. Additionally, Koike is responsible for managing Tokyo's substantial budget, which has risen to 16.55 trillion yen (approximately 100 billion USD) this fiscal year.

After her win, Koike highlighted her commitment to driving growth through digital transformation. She emphasized the need to adapt to the significant changes in industry and focus on modernizing Tokyo's infrastructure and services.

Koike's victory brings relief to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who supported her candidacy. Her continued leadership is expected to align with the broader goals of the national government, promoting stability and progress in Tokyo.

Yuriko Koike's re-election solidifies her position as a key figure in Japanese politics and sets the stage for her to tackle the critical issues facing Tokyo in the coming years.