Japan local elections likely April 13, 27

Japan Policy & Politics, August 19, 2002

TOKYO, Aug. 14 Kyodo

The government envisions holding quadrennial unified local elections across Japan on April 13 and 27, government sources said Wednesday.

Elections to select governors in 11 prefectures including Tokyo, Hokkaido, Kanagawa and Fukuoka and the mayor of the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido are likely to take place April 13, while votes to pick heads of smaller municipalities are expected to be held April 27, they said.

Elections of prefectural and municipal assembly members are also likely to be held on the two days.

The schedule is expected to be set through consultations with ruling parties. The Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry plans to submit a bill to set the dates to an extra Diet session in the fall, they said.