JCP-recommended city mayor elected in Tokyo

In the mayoral election of Tokyo's Chofu City on July 7, Nagatomo Yoshiki, a candidate of a Chofu residents' group supported by the Japanese Communist Party and six other political groups, was elected as the new city head.

Recommended by the JCP, Social Democratic, Liberal, and New Socialist parties, the Seikatsusha Network, and several Democratic Party members, Nagatomo beat two other candidates including the ruling party-backed candidate Yoshio Katsuyuki, who had been the city mayor for 16 years. Nagatomo got 26,518 votes or 38.28 percent of total votes cast.

The new mayor stated that he will change the priority of the city administration from large-scale development projects to education and welfare. (end)