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Japanese vote in local elections Tokyo governor 'wins third term'
(about 8 hours later)
Voters in Japan are turning out for local elections seen as an indicator of public support for the main parties ahead of Upper House polls in July. The nationalist governor of Tokyo has been returned to office for a third time in local elections in Japan, Japanese media has reported.
The elections include 13 gubernatorial and four mayoral races. Local assembly polls are taking place in prefectures and cities across the country. Shintaro Ishihara, 74, won in one of 13 provinces where the results are seen as a test of support for the main parties ahead of Upper House polls in July.
The most closely-watched contest is that of Tokyo governor. The elections also include four mayoral races. Local assembly polls took place in prefectures and cities as well.
Controversial nationalist incumbent Shintaro Ishihara, 74, is aiming for a third four-year term. Mr Ishihara was backed by PM Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Mr Ishihara, who is backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has won popular support for his straight-talking style. The governor has won popular support for his straight-talking style.
But he has angered others with comments on women, history and foreign residents, who he has blamed for an upsurge in crime. He has also been hit by allegations of cronyism.But he has angered others with comments on women, history and foreign residents, who he has blamed for an upsurge in crime. He has also been hit by allegations of cronyism.
His main rival, 59-year-old reformer Shiro Asano, is backed by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).His main rival, 59-year-old reformer Shiro Asano, is backed by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
LDP-backed candidates are facing off against DPJ rivals in four other gubernatorial races.
Analysts will be watching which way unaffiliated voters go ahead of the summer's Upper House polls.Analysts will be watching which way unaffiliated voters go ahead of the summer's Upper House polls.
They will be the first major electoral test for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since he took office in September last year. They will be the first major electoral test for Prime Minister Abe since he took office in September last year.
His premiership has already been rocked by a series of scandals and gaffes. An opinion poll last month found public support for him had shrunk to just 35%.His premiership has already been rocked by a series of scandals and gaffes. An opinion poll last month found public support for him had shrunk to just 35%.