Ishihara Won
No big surprise here, but I just wanted to let you all know that Ishihara did indeed win the Tokyo mayoral elections held earlier today. It's his 3rd 4-year term.
My two cents on why he won: I don't think it's because he did anything particularly amazing or revolutionary during his last two terms. It's more because 1: he was backed by the LDP and Komeito, the two oldest, most influential, loyal parties in Japanese politics; and 2. because the swing vote in Japan often goes to maintaining the status quo, i.e. life isn't so horrible so why risk changing it?
Well, all that and the fact that none of his opponents were all that impressive. Except Dr. NakaMats, who invented the floppy disc. Impressive, yes; but maybe not for mayor.
33% of Tokyoites voted this year, which is pretty high for Japan.
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