Overview
- Incumbent Daisaku Mikazuki prevailed in the Shiga gubernatorial race, winning a fourth term as an independent with backing from multiple party groups and campaign pledges to pursue a proposed transport tax, health and industry initiatives.
- Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki reaffirmed his refusal to allow Naha Airport’s use by U.S. forces after disclosure of archival U.S. documents suggesting past plans to consider the airport for contingency operations.
- Defendants and prosecutors in the LDP old-Abe faction political funds case have both filed appeals to higher courts following a Tokyo district court ruling that imposed fines but acquitted parts of the charges.
- A coalition of 33 NGOs urged the government to accelerate strong measures to cut single-use plastics, citing naphtha supply shortages and price increases tied to recent Middle East-related disruptions to petrochemical feedstocks.
- Local developments show everyday impact: Sapporo is carrying out a two-year renovation of Maruyama Stadium with a planned 2028 reopening to improve safety and accessibility, and Abashiri fishers report unusually strong landings of the branded high-end ‘Tsurikinki’ fish.