What France’s election had that Tokyo’s didn’t

A record number of candidates – a sizeable portion of them running on less-than-serious policy platforms – reduced the election run-up to a frustrating farce. Many voters simply switched off, with barely over 34 per cent of the eligible electorate turning up at the polling station.

That’s a troubling statistic for both Tokyo and all of Japan. Koike has scored some notable wins during her time in office, a reduction in childcare waiting times being the stand-out. But beyond that, her record is far from stellar. The Tokyo governor has failed to live up to a number of key campaign pledges, while the city’s total fertility rate dropped to its lowest ever mark in 2023. Many blame that on rising living costs during Koike’s tenure.

There has also been criticism of Koike’s relationships with large companies and special interests groups. Her use of taxpayer money to fund an elaborate illumination installation on the front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, has also raised eyebrows.

The poor performance of Saito – known in Japan by her first name, Renho – came as a particular surprise to observers. While some may say her leftist policy platform was always a hard sell to Tokyo’s conservative voters – not to mention the fact that the incumbent almost always wins in Japanese politics – simmering dissatisfaction with Koike’s record would suggest more of a robust challenge was likely.

Saito had scored points with some voters by opposing an unpopular tree-felling programme and by promising to open the “black box” of Tokyo’s finances. But as the campaign came to a head, the momentum began to shift decisively toward the incumbent.

Saito’s supporters are now crying foul play. They allege that major newspapers and broadcasters