politics

Opposition candidate wins Yokohama mayor election in blow to Suga

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The 48-year-old Yamanaka, a former professor at Yokohama City University who has no prior experience in public office,

that alone qualifies him head and shoulders above these career politicians who’s last brush with education was learning to tie their shoe laces without help. It’s a happy Monday Morning.

35 ( +37 / -2 )

Practically everyone was saying the people would be voting pro-LDP no matter what.

So unlike most posters here, the Japanese can actually change their minds

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Suga is toast now, he will be forced to step aside and some other idiot in the LDP will run for leader role.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

The data scientist, whose work includes analyzing vaccine efficacy on coronavirus variants, has criticized the government for ignoring calls from infectious disease experts to take stronger measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

He seems competent and not a blue blood or a toady of some éminence grise. All the best for him but not hopeful he will get far.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Hopefully a sign of things to come and Suga’s days are numbered. Lock him up, lock him up!

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Comparatively young candidate, evidently highly educated, with actual expertise on Covid?

Wait for him to get the Horiemon treatment. Maybe they'll suddenly discover signs of "misconduct" or ten million yen in a bank account somewhere and he'll end up on the wrong side of the justice system.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Wouldn't it be nice to see Suga not only lose the LDP presidency (thus being Prime Minister), but also his seat in the Diet?

Be way nicer if he didn't get my tax dollars in the perpetual future, for improving my life not one iota. He doesn't have like most of them an imagination that goes beyond feeling privilege for making rules nobody follows. Go on ask them what their retirement plan is and be met with a blank no understanding stare.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Man, did you see Suga's face when Okonogi said he was against the casino? Priceless!

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Finally somethings is moving,then perhaps there is some hope to save this country from the LDP dinosaurs.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The majority of Yokohama residents opposing that casino, so that election result just another way to show that too. The party that really pushing that casino development just need to learn that.

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14423324

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, the second-most populous city in the country after Tokyo and home to the constituency of Suga's seat in the House of Representatives.

Wouldn't it be nice to see Suga not only lose the LDP presidency (thus being Prime Minister), but also his seat in the Diet?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

"I failed to explain (my policies to the public) properly," Okonogi told reporters.

This is often the excuse politicians give when they or their policies fail. Maybe they did explain everything but the voters didn’t like it.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Practically everyone was saying the people would be voting pro-LDP no matter what.

So unlike most posters here, the Japanese can actually change their minds

Only because it is a local election. When national elections comes around and the big political family names comes on, expect a complete landslide in favor of LDP. LDP will likely get at least 66% of the seats in the coming election, they only need 30% of the votes to get it.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Opposition candidate wins Yokohama mayor election in blow to Suga

Good.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Wait for him to get the Horiemon treatment. Maybe they'll suddenly discover signs of "misconduct" or ten million yen in a bank account somewhere and he'll end up on the wrong side of the justice system.

Yep, I'd say within 2 years he will be put in prison. Can just force a confession, don't need any evidence.

Only because it is a local election.

Why?

National candidates have stronger heritage to draw votes, especially with family background. Also LDP needs only 20%-30% of votes to win in national elections. Even if LDP wins only 10% of the national vote, LDP will still keep majority. National elections pretty much is just looking at whether the LDP gets 90% of the seats or 60% of the seats.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

"I failed to explain (my policies to the public) properly," Okonogi told reporters.

Getting trucksto drive around the streets with loudspeakers blaring out his name and women in the back waving inanely at people probably wouldn't cut it.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I would like to believe his background on COVID studies and his criticism of the government response has an important role on Yamanaka's victory, but I am completely aware it may just be something without real weight.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

happy to kick out ldp dinosaurs! it can not be worst than them.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

There is a light at the end of the black tunnel.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The LDP are seriously disconnected from those that pay for their stupidity. Honest Abe is looking for a 3rd term comeback, not all bad my mini mask is washed out, and my premium Friday has never happened, maybe he can fix that. And at last he can urge pay rises a third time. Anybody who is labeled Honest Abe, and refuse's to actually appear in public might need to reassess his values. We the public can see a con man.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The 48-year-old Yamanaka, a former professor at Yokohama City University who has no prior experience in public office.

He is a spring chicken in Japanese politics. Like others have said, its time for the dinos to step aside.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Well, Yokohama’s odds of winning one of Japan’s three integrated resort (IR) concessions lengthened greatly today.

Suga's term will expire soon like a magazine subscription.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Even though this is a local election and may be a protest vote that may not be replicated at national level, any pressure on the Suga administration is welcome. It is exactly what they deserve.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The 48-year-old Yamanaka, a former professor at Yokohama City University who has no prior experience in public office, ran with the support of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan as well as the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party.

This brings a smile on my face.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

While I wish him luck (and he will need it), I know from long experience that he won't be able to make much change. Because "he's only 48 years old, has no experience in politics and is a professor. How can he know more than us, elderly and experienced ones?". They'll just try to make things difficult for him.

But just the fact that he won against someone who is several decades older than him and the fact that he has no scandals which may drag him down, brings a smile on my face.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Only because it is a local election. 

Lol

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Very good news for Japan.

No casino and no LDP old men, please.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Really hoping for a change in local politics. But not getting my hopes up too much.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The best illustration is something I witnessed over a decade ago.

I remember suggesting to my elderly "supervisor" at a staff meeting several years ago that it would make more sense on the yearly calendar for staff to return to work on a Monday, than a Friday after summer break as it would give everyone (especially foreigners) a few days more vacation time. Boy, did he flip out! (and then he went for a smoke break shortly after)

However, since making the suggestion, our calendar is more staff friendly. (oh, and the "supervisor" didn't last much longer).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People are becoming tired of Suga and Co? Hmm, weird?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I just hope the LDP is defeated this time and not just Suga being replaced by Abe.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done Yokohama voters. A few posters here are defending the casino plan. Why? It's a fact that when a casino opens in an area it leads to problem gambling and addiction. That leads to an increase in crime as addicts try to fund their gambling addiction. Who wants that? One poster even suggests gambling at a casino is the only way a Japanese can get rich! Ever heard of hard work and wise investments? No to casinos. No to LDP.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This Yokohama election will have little impact on Suga.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But the 56-year-old only managed to secure votes from 42.7 percent of LDP supporters, according to Kyodo exit polls, a sign of growing dissatisfaction with Suga among his base. A solid chunk, 19.7 percent, went with Hayashi, who had been backed by some of the party's members in the city assembly.

The candidates mostly receiving votes from LDP supporters, Okonogi (anti-casino) and Hayashi (pro-casino), together received more overall votes than the winner Yamanaka (35% vs. 33%), so this was really the LDP splitting their vote among ideology (for/against the waterfront casino) than any great repudiation of Suga and support of Yamanaka (anti-casino), who again garnered only 33% of the vote. 

This was more about the casino, which most voters in Yokohama wisely don’t support.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Paul14

When a country has to rely on tourism and gambling for revenues, that country is doomed.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why do they such angrily oppose casino, the only small chance for all average and normal people and low paid workers to become a little bit richer and more independent? Did they suddenly invent a globally sought new technology or something else outstanding or find a way to extraordinarily bring up the economy in Yokohama? I don’t think so. But ok, staying poor the whole short Karoshi near life is a valid option or choice too, no doubt. And that one always works. lol

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Killing the casino bid is the worst thing Yokohama could have possibly done.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

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