Akira Ogawa (left) receives his certificate of election one night after winning the mayoral election at Maebashi City Hall.
In the Maebashi mayoral election, which was counted on the 4th, independent newcomer and former prefectural assembly member Akira Ogawa (41) was elected for the first time, defeating independent incumbent Ryu Yamamoto (64), who was aiming for a fourth term and was nominated by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. She decided to become the first female mayor of the prefectural capital. Before the announcement, it was predicted that the race would be close, but by the end of the race, there was a huge difference of about 14,000 votes. Comprehending the stories of those involved in the election reveals the effects of past elections, as well as miscalculations and carelessness on the part of the Yamamoto camp, which was supposed to be the strongest. (Manabu Suzuki, Kazutaka Hamono, Kenichi Komatsuda)
◆Departure
One of the key points in the current mayoral election was the trend among conservatives, who were divided after Yamamoto’s opponent emerged in the previous election. For Yamamoto, a local prefectural assembly member who said he was “never strong in elections,” the ability to form a monolithic coalition among conservatives was an essential requirement for a fourth term.
However, a campaign official from Yamamoto’s camp said, “We had a divided battle in the mayoral election, so those who lost among the conservatives won’t come to our side. It’s like fate.” It was cited as one of the reasons for the defeat.
Some in the business community, which is Yamamoto’s rock-solid support base, also complain that while Yamamoto is enthusiastic about digital policy, he has not produced sufficient results in hollowing out downtown areas, promoting industry, and improving infrastructure. Ta. One manager points out, “Due to her position, she cannot openly support Mr. Ogawa, but the fact that she does nothing for Mr. Yamamoto has assisted her.”
An analysis from Yamamoto’s camp said, “Looking at the turnout, it seems that there were many LDP supporters who did not vote.They may have felt that they did not want to support the party this time due to the slush funds issue.”
Yasutaka Nakasone, a member of the House of Representatives, said, “This result shows that trust in the current system has been lost.It proves that unless conservatives unite, we will lose if the other party takes advantage of us.” He spoke with all his heart.
◆Miscalculation
Even though some arrests have been made over the issue of “politics and money” surrounding a political funding party of the LDP faction, and there are headwinds blowing against the LDP, it will have an impact in Gunma Prefecture, a conservative kingdom where the LDP monopolizes the House of Representatives single-seat constituency and the prefectural House of Councilors constituency. was supposed to be limited. Mr. Yamamoto controlled most of the local assembly members and numerous industry groups, and boasted overwhelming organizational skills.
There are no decisive differences in basic policies either. The only thing we had to be wary of was the slogan of “municipal government reform” raised by the Ogawa camp in the context of criticism of the high-stakes election, but a senior Yamamoto campaign official recalls that “I didn’t feel any influence toward Mr. Ogawa.”
However, crustal movements were progressing little by little.
At the end of last year, a communist-affiliated civic group decided against fielding its own candidate and came out in support of Ogawa. On January 13, 2019, in response to Ogawa’s message at a Communist Party speech, Yamamoto posted on his X (former Twitter), “I can’t leave Maebashi to politics that collaborate with the Communist Party.” .
About an hour later, Ogawa posted a rebuttal, saying, “We are also sending the same content to other organizations and local events.”
Half a month before the announcement, the current incumbent launched a negative campaign. One Ogawa campaign official said, “It probably made voters uncomfortable and had the opposite effect.”
On the night of the 4th, Ogawa also cited this as one of the turning points to victory. The contrast between him and Ogawa, who advocated a “citizen’s party” and did not receive endorsement or support from any particular political party, also refrained from criticizing him.
Additionally, a senior campaign official in the Ogawa camp recalls that early in the election campaign, the results of a public opinion poll that showed Yamamoto had a “slight advantage” were reported, creating a crisis springboard. “The camp has tightened up and there is another push.”
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The city council by-election (2 candidates) was held on the same schedule as the mayor’s election, and was won by a former independent and a newcomer from the Meiji Restoration Party.
◇Maebashi Mayoral Election Confirmed Votes
60,486 Akira Ogawa Mushin <1>
46,387 Ryumu Yamamoto
◇ Maebashi City Council by-election confirmed votes (number of candidates: 2 – candidates: 3)
When 43,363 Lin Lun Shi Wuyuan
31,558 Eiji Ogawa Meiji Restoration
21,792 Daisuke Yoshihara Kyoshin