Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka to resign over power harassment

Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka has expressed his intention to resign following findings of serious power harassment against city employees. The Komeito party's Yokohama City Council members, alongside the Liberal Democratic Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party, had previously requested his resignation due to the harassment findings, his inability to gain the trust of citizens and the council, and the resulting stagnation in municipal administration.

Yamanaka submitted his resignation letter to the City Council chairperson on August 28, with approval expected in early September. The Election Administration Committee has announced that the mayoral election to select a successor will be officially announced on October 4, with voting scheduled for October 18. As of now, Yamanaka has not indicated whether he intends to run for re-election.