Asia-Pacific

Shintaro Ishihara reelected as Tokyo governor

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-04-08 21:51

Current Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara beat his competitors in gubernatorial election held on Sunday, becoming the Japanese capital's governor for the third time, local media said.

The 74-year-old Ishihara, backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party, outpaced former Miyagi Gov. Shiro Asano and other challengers and has assured his third four-year term, NHK and Kyodo News said.

The first round of unified local elections were held across Japan on Sunday, including 13 gubernatorial polls, 44 prefectural assembly races and mayoral contests in four ordinance-designated major cities.

Most polling stations closed at 8 p.m.(1100 GMT), with ballots to be counted the same day.