Photo/Illutration The Hyogo prefectural government office in Kobe’s Chuo Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

KOBE--A record seven candidates are running in the Hyogo gubernatorial election to replace the former governor who lost the post amid allegations of power harassment and other misconduct.

Former Governor Motohiko Saito, who left office after the prefectural assembly passed a no-confidence motion against him, also entered the race to reclaim his seat. 

Official campaigning kicked off on Oct. 31 with voting to be held on Nov. 17. 

Saito, 47, is accused of harassing and abusing his staff, corruption and failing to protect whistleblowers. He was ousted from power on Sept. 19 after the legally binding no-confidence motion left him with no viable option. 

The other six candidates include former Upper House member Takayuki Shimizu, 50; former Amagasaki Mayor Kazumi Inamura, 52; physician Yoshikiyo Osawa, 61; record label owner Shigeyuki Fukumoto, 58; NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana, 57; and news analyst Hirotsugu Kijima, 49.

All candidates are running as independents.

The number of candidates in this election topped the previous record of five set in 1974 and 2021, according to election officials.

Saito delivered his first campaign speech to an audience of around 300 here in the city's Chuo Ward.

"There are strong voices from various parties and politicians saying, 'We cannot let Saito win,' but I absolutely cannot afford to lose," he said.

While apologizing for the whistleblower flap, Saito emphasized his achievements as governor, including a tuition-free policy for prefectural universities.

Shimizu told his supporters that he was running to mend the divided politics of the prefecture, with a focus on boosting the economy and tourism while addressing the difficulties posed by the prefecture's shrinking population.

Shimizu left Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) just before the election but is receiving support from the party’s local branch.

Inamura stated that the prefecture was “facing unprecedented confusion and crisis” following the former governor’s scandal.

She pledged to introduce an anti-harassment ordinance and other policies to improve the work environment for public officials, as well as support for young families.

Inamura is backed by some members of the Liberal Democratic Party as well as the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

Osawa also criticized the former governor, stating that the prefectural government must be open to criticism and opposition to improve.

He pledged to implement free medical care for children, free school lunch programs and a quota system to achieve gender equality in the prefectural government.

Osawa has received support from the Japanese Communist Party.

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