Opinion | What France’s election had that Tokyo’s didn’t
- Compared to the display of democratic enthusiasm in France, Tokyo’s gubernatorial race yielded a lacklustre vote in favour of the incumbent
A record number of candidates – a sizeable portion of them running on less-than-serious policy platforms – reduced the election run-up to a frustrating farce. Many voters simply switched off, with barely over 34 per cent of the eligible electorate turning up at the polling station.
That’s a troubling statistic for both Tokyo and all of Japan. Koike has scored some notable wins during her time in office, a reduction in childcare waiting times being the stand-out. But beyond that, her record is far from stellar. The Tokyo governor has failed to live up to a number of key campaign pledges, while the city’s total fertility rate dropped to its lowest ever mark in 2023. Many blame that on rising living costs during Koike’s tenure.
There has also been criticism of Koike’s relationships with large companies and special interests groups. Her use of taxpayer money to fund an elaborate illumination installation on the front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, has also raised eyebrows.
