The Kumamoto prefecture gubernatorial election to mark the expiration of the term of office was announced on the 7th, and so far, the candidates have been elected, including a former vice governor of Kumamoto prefecture recommended by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, and a former mayor of Kumamoto prefecture who is voluntarily supported by the local organizations of the four opposition parties. Four new candidates ran for office, and the election campaign lasted 17 days.

Four people, all new and independent candidates, ran for the Kumamoto Prefecture gubernatorial election in order of notification.



▽ Mr. Kazuhiko Miyagawa (58), former high school teacher


▽ Mr. Masafumi Koyama (58), former mayor of Kumamoto


▽ ▽ Mr. Hidenori Mouri (46), president of a construction company


▽ ▽ Mr. Takashi Kimura, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, recommended by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party ( 49)



This Kumamoto prefecture gubernatorial election will be a contest between newcomers for the first time in 16 years, as the incumbent governor, Ikuo Kabashima, is retiring after four terms.



While the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito have endorsed Kimura, a former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, local organizations of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Communist Party, Democratic Party of the People, and Social Democratic Party have voluntarily supported Koyama, a former mayor of Kumamoto.



In the election campaign, there were debates over issues such as efforts to secure human resources and infrastructure development following the expansion of Taiwan's semiconductor giant TSMC, methods of recovery and reconstruction from the Kumamoto earthquake and heavy rain disasters, and measures to support education and child-rearing. This is expected to be exchanged.



Voting will take place on the 24th of this month, and votes will be counted on the same day.

First words of each candidate

Mr. Miyagawa appealed, ``The trend of population decline and super-low birthrate and aging population is unstoppable. Starting from Kumamoto Prefecture, we want to stop this trend.''



Mr. Koyama said, ``I have no intention of denying TSMC itself, but if we get too focused on that, we end up losing sight of the world. There are people in trouble, people struggling, and small voices. However, my political goal is to pick up the voices of those people."



Mr. Mori appealed, ``Even after so many people die, no one will raise the vaccine issue.Then I have no choice but to speak up and speak out.''



Mr. Kimura said, ``I will firmly inherit the good flow of Kabashima prefectural government, and as the deputy governor I will take responsibility for what I have not been able to do fully.I will spread the positive effects of TSMC to the entire prefecture and minimize the negative effects.'' .I will actively implement welfare policies that only I can do.Let's open the door to the future together with everyone.''