Overview
- Gov. Naomichi Suzuki has decided to voice consent for Hokkaido Electric’s Tomari Unit 3 restart at today’s Hokkaido assembly session, with safety as the essential condition.
- He informed ruling assembly blocs of his plan to state the position in the chamber this afternoon.
- Gifu Prefecture is seeking private-sector proposals to repurpose three prefectural facilities after a market-sounding survey, with Gov. Sadahide Esaki promoting “earning” uses and some residents calling for the effort to stop.
- A Communist-aligned group plans to field former prefectural assembly member Shizuka Oosuga, 66, in the Feb. 1 Gifu mayoral election, where incumbent Masanao Shibahashi is seeking a third term as an independent.
- A national bill to reduce House seats remains stalled before committee referral, prompting Nippon Ishin to press for swift deliberations while the LDP prioritizes the budget; separately, Giants infielder Hayato Sakamoto re-signed for ¥300 million after a maximum ¥200 million cut and said he wants to keep playing.