Overview

• In Aichi’s Chita, independent newcomer 伊藤清一郎（52） won the Sept. 28 mayoral election over fellow independents 服部洋志（56） and 加藤靖臣（81）.
• Reporting notes that 伊藤氏 ran as an independent with recommendations from 自民党、公明党、国民民主党.
• Chita’s turnout reached 44.56%, up 11.83 points from the previous record low.
• In Hokkaido’s Engaru, incumbent 佐々木修一（66） secured a fifth term over challenger 松下和弘（51）, the town’s first contested mayoral race since the 2005 merger.
• Engaru recorded 56.13% turnout, lower than 2021’s 64.62%, with the uncontested town assembly elections cited as a factor.