2025 Japanese gubernatorial elections

2025 Japanese gubernatorial elections

10 gubernatorial elections were held in Japan in 2025.

Background

This section is an excerpt from Elections in Japan.[edit]

The Japanese political process has two types of elections.

  • National elections (国政選挙, kokusei senkyo)
  • Subnational/local elections (地方選挙, chihō senkyo)

While the national level features a parliamentary system of government where the head of government is elected indirectly by the legislature, prefectures and municipalities employ a presidential system where chief executives and legislative assemblies are directly elected, independently from each other. Many of the prefectural and municipal elections are held together in unified local elections (統一地方選挙, Tōitsu chihō senkyo) since 1947, held in years before leap years;[1] but since each election cycle of every chief executive or assembly of any prefecture or municipality is independent and not reset after resignations/deaths/recalls/no-confidence votes/dissolutions/municipal mergers, there are also many non-unified local elections today. Prefectural and municipal assemblies are unicameral, the National Diet is bicameral, with the two houses on independent election cycles.

Yamagata Prefecture

The 2025 Yamagata gubernatorial election was held on January 26, 2025. It was won by the incumbent Mieko Yoshimura.[2]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
January 26, 2025 Mieko Yoshimura Independent Mieko Yoshimura Independent
Sources: [2]
Candidates Party Votes %
Mieko Yoshimura (Incumbent) Independent 318,364 94.7%
Jun Nakayama Independent 17,794 5.3%
Sources: [2][3]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
864,892 39.67 -23.27
Source: [3][4]

Gifu Prefecture

The 2025 Gifu gubernatorial election was held on January 26, 2025. It was won by Yoshihide Esaki.[5]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
January 26, 2025 Hajime Furuta Independent Yoshihide Esaki Independent
Sources: [5]
Candidates Party Votes %
Yoshihide Esaki Independent 436,418 76.3%
Wada Reiko Independent 135,224 23.7%
Sources: [5][6]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
1,601,505 36.21 -11.83
Source: [6][7]

Chiba Prefecture

The 2025 Chiba gubernatorial election was held on March 16, 2025. It was won by the incumbent Toshihito Kumagai.[8]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
March 16, 2025 Toshihito Kumagai Independent Toshihito Kumagai Independent
Sources: [8]
Candidates Party Votes %
Toshihito Kumagai (Incumbent) Independent 1,404,905 85.9%
Masayuki Ogura Independent 140,435 8.6%
Takashi Tachibana Anti-NHK 79,060 4.8%
Atsuhiko Kurokawa Tsubasa 10,948 0.7%
Sources: [8][9]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
5,186,664 31.93 -7.06
Source: [9][10]

Fukuoka Prefecture

The 2025 Fukuoka gubernatorial election was held on March 23, 2025. It was won by the incumbent Seitaro Hattori.[11]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
March 23, 2025 Seitaro Hattori Independent Seitaro Hattori Independent
Sources: [11]
Candidates Party Votes %
Seitaro Hattori (Incumbent) Independent 1,036,280 79.7%
Koichiro Yoshida Independent 209,416 16.1%
Nobuo Shindo Independent 27,952 2.1%
Takahiro Fujimaru Okane o Min'na e Shin Dokuritsu-Tō 27,394 2.1%
Sources: [11][12]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
4,169,693 31.93 1.97
Source: [12][13]

Akita Prefecture

The 2025 Akita gubernatorial election was held on April 6, 2025. It was won by the newcomer Kenta Suzuki.[14]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
April 6, 2025 Norihisa Satake Independent Kenta Suzuki Independent
Sources: [14]
Candidates Party Votes %
Kenta Suzuki Independent 273,270 58.4%
Kazuzo Saruta Independent 189,382 40.5%
Norio Okubo Independent 5,345 1.1%
Sources: [14][15]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
789,908 59.59 3.03
Source: [15][16]

Wakayama Prefecture

Following the death of then governor Shūhei Kishimoto on April 15, the 2025 Wakayama gubernatorial special election was held on June 1, 2025. It was won by incumbent acting governor Izumi Miyazaki.[A][17]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
June 1, 2025 Izumi Miyazaki[A] Independent Izumi Miyazaki Independent
Sources: [17]
Candidates Party Votes %
Izumi Miyazaki (incumbent)[A] Independent 250,454 84.1%
Michiko Matsuzaka JCP 47,215 15.9%
Sources: [17][18]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
759,006 39.86 0.00
Source: [18][19]

Mie Prefecture

The 2025 Mie gubernatorial special election was held on September 7, 2025. It was won by the incumbent governor Katsuyuki Ichimi.[20]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
September 7, 2025 Katsuyuki Ichimi Independent Katsuyuki Ichimi Independent
Sources: [20]
Candidates Party Votes %
Katsuyuki Ichimi (incumbent) Independent 366,887 65.5%
Masashi Ito Independent 164,504 29.4%
Tsuyoshi Ishikawa Independent 28,429 5.1%
Sources: [20][21]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
1,422,251 39.77 1.79
Source: [21][22]

Ibaraki Prefecture

The 2025 Ibaraki gubernatorial election was held on September 7, 2025. It was won by the incumbent governor Kazuhiko Ōigawa.[23]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
September 7, 2025 Kazuhiko Ōigawa Independent Kazuhiko Ōigawa Independent
Sources: [23]
Candidates Party Votes %
Kazuhiko Ōigawa (incumbent) Independent 447,833 58.3%
Shigehiro Tanaka Independent 162,216 21.1%
Masahiko Uchida Independent 158,585 20.6%
Sources: [23][24]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
2,342,787 33.52 -1.50
Source: [24][25]

Miyagi Prefecture

Main article: 2025 Miyagi gubernatorial election

The 2025 Miyagi gubernatorial election was held on October 26, 2025. It was won by the incumbent governor Yoshihiro Murai.[26]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
October 26, 2025 Yoshihiro Murai Independent Yoshihiro Murai Independent
Sources: [26]
Candidates Party Votes %
Yoshihiro Murai (incumbent) Independent 340,190 39.3%
Masamune Wada Independent 324,375 37.5%
Miyuki Yusa Independent 176,287 20.4%
Nobuto Ito Independent 20,445 2.4%
Jun Kanayama Independent 3,663 0.4%
Sources: [26][27]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
1,872,116 46.50 -9.79
Source: [27][28]

Hiroshima Prefecture

The 2025 Hiroshima gubernatorial election was held on November 9, 2025. It was won by the newcomer Mika Yokota.[29]

Date Before election After election
Governor Party Governor Party
November 9, 2025 Hidehiko Yuzaki Independent Mika Yokota Independent
Sources: [29]
Candidates Party Votes %
Mika Yokota Independent 552,614 83.4%
Mayumi Inohara Independent 75,468 11.4%
Hiroshi Oyama Independent 34,333 5.2%
Sources: [29][30]
Number of Registered Voters Voter Turnout
% ±
1,872,116 46.50 -9.79
Source: [30][31]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Miyazaki only serves as the acting governor following the death of Shūhei Kishimoto

See also

References

  1. ^ "総務省|選挙の種類". 総務省 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  2. ^ a b c Takahashi, Masahiro; Otani, Hideyuki (26 January 2025). "Yamagata kenchiji-sen de yoshimura mieko-shi ga tōsen kakujitsu josei chiji no 5-sen wa kako saita" 山形県知事選で吉村美栄子氏が当選確実 女性知事の5選は過去最多 [Yoshimura Mieko likely to win Yamagata gubernatorial election, the fifth term for a female governor, the most ever]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Yamagata kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (1 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō)" 山形県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(1月26日投票) [Yamagata Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Yamagata kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 01 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō" 山形県知事選挙 - 2025年01月26日投票 [Yamagata Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on January 26, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "[Gifu ken] Gifu kenchiji-sen" 【岐阜県】岐阜県知事選 [[Gifu Prefecture] Gifu Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Gifu kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (1 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō)" 岐阜県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(1月26日投票) [Gifu Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Gifu kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 01 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō" 岐阜県知事選挙 - 2025年01月26日投票 [Gifu Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on January 26, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b c "Chiba ken chiji senkyo, Kumagai Toshi-jin-shi ga saisen… 1-ki-me no jisseki apīru kigyō yūchi no suishin uttae" 千葉県知事選挙、熊谷俊人氏が再選…１期目の実績アピール・企業誘致の推進訴え [Toshihito Kumagai re-elected in Chiba gubernatorial election... highlighting achievements from his first term and calling for the promotion of attracting businesses]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 16 March 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b "Chiba kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (3 gatsu 16-nichi tōhyō)" 千葉県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(3月16日投票) [Chiba Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Chiba kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 03 gatsu 16-nichi tōhyō" 千葉県知事選挙 - 2025年03月16日投票 [Chiba Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on March 16, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  11. ^ a b c Oshita, Yoshinori; Ito, Mirai; Fukui, Maho (24 March 2025). "Fukuoka ken chiji-sen, Hattori-shi ga 103 man-pyō-chō de banjaku no saisen ronsen wa kamiawazu" 福岡県知事選、服部氏が103万票超で盤石の再選 論戦はかみ合わず [Fukuoka gubernatorial election: Hattori secures re-election with over 1.03 million votes, but debate fails to mesh]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b "Fukuoka kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (3 gatsu 23-nichi tōhyō)" 福岡県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(3月23日投票) [Fukuoka Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Fukuoka kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 03 gatsu 23-nichi tōhyō" 福岡県知事選挙 - 2025年03月23日投票 [Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on March 23, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  14. ^ a b c 秋田県知事選挙、前県議の鈴木健太氏が初当選…自主投票の自民党若手県議や維新ら支援 [Former Akita Prefectural Assembly Member Kenta Suzuki Wins First Election in Akita Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 6 April 2025. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Akita kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (4 gatsu 6-nichi tōhyō)" 秋田県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(4月06日投票) [Akita Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Akita kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 03 gatsu 6-nichi tōhyō" 秋田県知事選挙 - 2025年04月06日投票 [Akita Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on April 6, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  17. ^ a b c Matsunaga, Kazuhiko; Terasawa, Naoaki (1 June 2025). "Wakayama kenchiji-sen, zen fuku chiji no Miyazaki Izumi-shi ga hatsu tōsen kyūsei shita Kishimoto-shi o keishō" 和歌山県知事選、前副知事の宮崎泉氏が初当選 急逝した岸本氏を継承 [Former Vice Governor Izumi Miyazaki wins first gubernatorial election in Wakayama Prefecture, succeeding the late Governor Kishimoto]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  18. ^ a b "Wakayama kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (6 gatsu 1-nichi tōhyō)" 和歌山県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(6月01日投票) [Wakayama Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  19. ^ "Wakayama kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 04 gatsu 1-nichi tōhyō" 和歌山県知事選挙 - 2025年06月01日投票 [Wakayama Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on June 1, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  20. ^ a b c "[Mie ken] Mie ken chiji-sen" 【三重県】三重県知事選 [[Mie Prefecture] Mie Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  21. ^ a b "Mie kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (9 gatsu 7-nichi tōhyō)" 三重県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(9月07日投票) [Mie Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  22. ^ "Mie kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 09 gatsu 7-nichi tōhyō" 三重県知事選挙 - 2025年09月07日投票 [Mie Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on September 7, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  23. ^ a b c "Ibaraki-ken chiji senkyo, Ōigawa Kazuhiko-shi ga 3-sen shinjin 2-shi yaburu" 茨城県知事選挙、大井川和彦氏が3選 新人2氏破る [Ibaraki gubernatorial election: Kazuhiko Oigawa wins third term, defeating two newcomers]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 7 September 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  24. ^ a b "Ibaraki kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (9 gatsu 7-nichi tōhyō)" 茨城県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(9月07日投票) [Ibaraki Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  25. ^ "Ibaraki kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 09 gatsu 7-nichi tōhyō" 茨城県知事選挙 - 2025年09月07日投票 [Ibaraki Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on September 7, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  26. ^ a b c Oyama, Ryou (26 October 2025). "Miyagi chiji-sen, genshoku no Murai-shi ga 6-sen hatasu sansei ōen no shingao-ra o shirizokeru" 宮城知事選、現職の村井氏が6選果たす 参政応援の新顔らを退ける [Miyagi gubernatorial election: Incumbent Murai wins sixth term, defeating newcomers supported by the Diet]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  27. ^ a b "Miyagi kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (10 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō)" 宮城県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(10月26日投票) [Miyagi Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  28. ^ "Miyagi kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 10 gatsu 26-nichi tōhyō" 宮城県知事選挙 - 2025年10月26日投票 [Miyagi Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on October 26, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  29. ^ a b c "Zen fuku chiji no Yokota Mika-shi ga hatsu tōsen Hiroshima kenchiji-sen, Chūgokuchihō-hatsu no josei chiji" 前副知事の横田美香氏が初当選 広島県知事選、中国地方初の女性知事 [Former Vice Governor Mika Yokota wins Hiroshima gubernatorial election, becoming the first female governor in the Chugoku region]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 9 November 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  30. ^ a b "Hiroshima kenchiji senkyo 2025 senkyo kekka (11 gatsu 07-nichi tōhyō)" 広島県知事選挙2025 選挙結果(11月09日投票) [Hiroshima Prefectural Gubernatorial Election]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  31. ^ "Hiroshima kenchiji senkyo - 2025-nen 11 gatsu 7-nichi tōhyō" 広島県知事選挙 - 2025年11月07日投票 [Hiroshima Prefectural Governor Election - Voting on November 7, 2025]. Election.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 January 2026.
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