Taro Ozaki elected mayor of Wakayama City

Taro Ozaki, a 61-year-old former prefectural assembly member, has won the Wakayama City mayoral election. Running as an unaffiliated newcomer, Ozaki secured victory in a crowded race featuring six candidates.

The election was triggered by the decision of the incumbent mayor, Masahiro Obana, not to seek re-election after three terms. Major political parties opted for independent voting, resulting in a competitive field that included former city council members Shinsuke Hamada and Kazumi Shibamoto, former mayor Takamune Tabata, former prefectural assembly member Akihiro Katagiri, and corporate executive Sora Komae.

The voter turnout was 37.04%, an increase of 5.50 percentage points compared to the previous election. Following his victory, Ozaki expressed his commitment to energizing the city with smiles and stated his intention to work closely with city hall staff to achieve his goals.