In the Japanese local elections held on April 9, all the incumbent governors of the following NEAR member prefectures: Shimane, Tottori, and Fukui were overwhelmingly re-elected.

Maruyama, the governor of Shimane Prefecture, said, “I am very grateful to have been entrusted with the prefecture’s administration for the next four years, and I feel a great sense of responsibility. In particular, he said, “I will create more employment opportunities for the young generation who raises children to counter the population decline.” 

Hirai, the governor of Tottori Prefecture, expressed his gratitude for being elected for the fifth term, saying, “I will work with the residents of the prefecture over the next four years to set a direction, make decisions, and take action. As an instrumentality for the good of residents, I pledge to work tirelessly for the people and the region, remembering where I first started.”

Sugimoto, governor of Fukui Prefecture, said, “I think I have received good evaluations for my first term in office. First, I would like to expand the effects of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which will be opening next spring, all throughout the entire prefecture and implement social welfare policies such as promoting women’s societal participation, supporting child-rearing, and providing medical and care-giving support.”  

The term of office for governors in Japan lasts for four years, and this year’s local elections were held simultaneously for governors and council members. In this election, governor elections were held in nine places where the term had expired, and such elections took place in three of our NEAR member regions, where all the incumbent governors were re-elected.

※ From left to right in the photo, Governor Maruyama of Shimane Prefecture, Governor Hirai of Tottori Prefecture, and Governor Sugimoto of Fukui Prefecture