Japanese local mayoral elections

In late July 2026, two small Japanese municipalities held mayoral elections. In Nyūzen, Toyama Prefecture, Jun'ya Nakase was elected unopposed, becoming the first newcomer to win without a vote since the town’s founding. He pledged to tackle severe population decline and an aging demographic, revitalize the town centre, repurpose the former town‑hall site and improve education. In Obanazawa, Yamagata Prefecture, independent 34‑year‑old Goro Wakabayashi defeated incumbent Yuki Hiro, promising collaborative community development during his four‑year term.

Two days later, attention turned to other local contests and governance initiatives. In Oyamazaki, Kyoto, incumbent mayor Maekawa Mitsuru, 70, signalled his intention to run for a third term, with formal filing slated for 13 October and voting on 18 October. Meanwhile, Nantan City’s mayor Yoshitaka Nishimura launched a series of public roundtables called “One‑Nantaro” to solicit resident input on municipal policies, an effort tied to his election promises despite limited municipal budgets.