Yokohama mayoral election: Candidates Harasawa and Nakatani announce runs

Candidates are emerging for the upcoming Yokohama mayoral election, scheduled for voting on October 18 following the resignation of former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka.

Attorney Atsumi Harasawa has officially announced his candidacy as an independent. Harasawa stated his intention to “restore smiles to staff and move the stagnant municipal administration forward.” He has reportedly received requests to run from members of the local business community and is currently coordinating to receive support from the Liberal Democratic Party and other groups.

In a separate development, former House of Representatives member Kazuma Nakatani has also solidified his intention to run for mayor as an independent. Nakatani, who previously served three terms in the House of Representatives, lost his seat in the February general election. Political commentator Kensuke Miyazaki noted that Nakatani’s move reflects a broader trend of former national politicians seeking local leadership roles following electoral losses.