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11 clusters · 21 sources · 82 days · First seen 3 months ago · Last updated 9 days ago

Atsumi Harasawa elected Mayor of Yokohama

Overview

The mayoral vacancy in Yokohama, triggered by the resignation of Takeharu Yamanaka, has been resolved with the election of Atsumi Harasawa.

Yamanaka resigned in late August following a third-party investigation that confirmed severe power harassment against city staff. The report detailed verbal abuse, including the use of derogatory terms such as ‘scum’ and ‘useless,’ as well as intimidating physical gestures and threats of ‘seppuku.’ Facing pressure from the City Council and major political factions, Yamanaka submitted his resignation on August 28.

In the subsequent election held on October 18, Harasawa, a 59-year-old lawyer, defeated Yamanaka and five other candidates. Harasawa secured significant backing from the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, Komeito, and the Democratic Party for the People.

Voter turnout for the election was recorded at 45.56%, an increase of approximately 4 percentage points from the previous election. Yamanaka, who attempted to reclaim his position by stating he had a “responsibility to fulfill the policies promised to citizens,” struggled to overcome the scandal, with approximately 80% of voters citing the power harassment issue as a deciding factor.

Entities

Takeharu Yamanaka · Yokohama City · Atsumi Harasawa · Yokohama · Yokohama City Council

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Yamanaka announced his intention to resign during a meeting with his supporters on August 28.
[● 4 SOURCES] A third-party investigation concluded that Mayor Yamanaka engaged in serious power harassment.
[● 3 SOURCES] Major political groups including the LDP, Komeito, and CDP demanded his resignation.
[● 2 SOURCES] The Japan Innovation Party decided to submit a no-confidence motion.
[● 2 SOURCES] A mayoral election must be held within 50 days if the resignation is finalized.

Timeline

9 days ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Atsumi Harasawa elected mayor of Yokohama
Lawyer Atsumi Harasawa has been elected mayor of Yokohama, defeating former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka in an election triggered by Yamanaka's resignation over power harassment allegations.
11 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Yokohama mayoral election: Atsumi Harasawa leads in polls
Newcomer Atsumi Harasawa leads the Yokohama mayoral election polls as voters weigh the power harassment scandal involving former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka ahead of the October 18 vote.
21 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Yokohama mayoral election tools and debates launched
Ichini Co., Ltd. launched a voting matching service and hosted an online debate featuring seven candidates for the 2026 Yokohama mayoral election to assist voters.
23 days ago

[POLITICS] 7 sources
Yokohama mayoral election sees seven candidates enter race
Seven candidates, including former Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, have entered the Yokohama mayoral election following his resignation. Voting will occur on October 18.
29 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Yokohama: Former Mayor Yamanaka to run in mayoral election
Former Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, who resigned due to power harassment findings, has announced his candidacy for the upcoming mayoral election scheduled for October 18.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Yokohama mayoral election: Candidates Harasawa and Nakatani announce runs
Candidates Atsumi Harasawa and Kazuma Nakatani have announced intentions to run in the Yokohama mayoral election, scheduled for October 18.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka to resign over power harassment
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka will resign following power harassment findings. A mayoral election is scheduled for October 18, with the official announcement set for October 4.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 8 sources
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka to resign over power harassment findings
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka intends to resign after a third-party probe confirmed serious power harassment, including verbal abuse and misuse of personnel authority against city employees.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Yokohama Mayor faces resignation calls over power harassment findings
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka faces calls for resignation after a third-party committee confirmed serious power harassment involving intimidation and misuse of personnel authority.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka apologizes to council following power harassment findings
Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka apologized to the City Council after a third-party probe confirmed power harassment, including verbal abuse. He intends to stay in office despite calls for resignation.
3 months ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Japanese city officials face workplace harassment accusations in Maibara and Yokohama
Surveys show 11.3% of Maibara City staff faced harassment, while an external probe found Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka Takeharu guilty of serious power‑harassment.

Sources

agora-web.jp · appbank.net · coachville.com · coki.jp · dailyshincho.jp · fnn-news.com · fnn.jp · japannews24.com · japantimes.co.jp · jisin.jp · jugem.jp · news.cube-soft.jp · nishinippon.co.jp · prtimes.jp · radmarkt.de · sakigake.jp · stheadline.com · tanakaryusaku.jp · tanteifile.com · the-miyanichi.co.jp · tokyo-sports.co.jp

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history