Overview
- Voting is set for December 14 after the December 7 formal launch of the race, which drew a record nine contenders.
- The field includes former mayor Maki Takubo, ex-mayor Tatsuya Ono backed by the LDP’s Shizuoka prefectural chapter, and former city councilor Kenya Sugimoto backed by the Democratic Party for the People’s prefectural chapter.
- Under election law, a candidate must win at least one quarter of valid votes to be elected, raising the prospect of a revote if support is split across the crowded field.
- If a revote is required, it would follow an objection period through January 5 and then be held within 50 days, prolonging uncertainty for city administration.
- Months of disruption have already seen a supplementary budget go unsubmitted and a unilateral mayoral decision used in September, and candidates are pledging either experience, normalization of city operations, or blocking a planned mega-solar project.