Yes, it might be Sunday but that doesn't necessarily mean a rest day when political candidates are on the hustings. Today, two of the leading candidates in the forthcoming gubernatorial election timed their speeches such that I was going to be able to make the both quite comfortably.
I was kindly rushed out the door by a passing earthquake, one of the strongest ones I've felt since I've been here this time...I wondered if it meant anything.
Anyway, first stop was Kichijoji, interestingly enough, the station where my university has its original campus (I work at the new one...which will also become relevant to this story shortly). Former journalist Torigoe Shuntaro is standing as a candidate, representing the opposition parties. He drew quite a crowd.
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| Politicians speaking in support of Torigoe, including JCP member Koike Akira (no relation) |
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| The rope is for crowd control, the sign for Torigoe's campaign |
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| The candidate awaits his turn |
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| The truck |
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| Former PM Kan Naoto |
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| Televising |
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| Encouraging the crowd |
Then, on a train or two, through the centre of Tokyo to get on my regular line to take me the other campus, almost. Just two stations away but it felt like I was going to work. There, outside one of the larger suburban shopping malls, was the entourage of Koike Yuriko, current parliamentarian for the ruling Liberal Democrats but not supported by them for this election. A former environment minister and former defence minister, Koike drew a much smaller but just as supportive, crowd.
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| Accidental handshake |
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| LDP Parliamentarian and supporter, Wakasa masaru |
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| Minder |
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| LDP Tokyo assembly member |
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| Koike waits |
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| The crowd listens |
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| Putting forward her platform |
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| Pamphlets |
It is an interesting race, 21 candidates in all, including three women. Torigoe has the broadcast appeal of his profession, Koike the determination and experience of her profession. Is Tokyo ready for its first female governor? We'll know on 31 July.
[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 3.08pm-3.23pm, 6.09pm-6.22pm, 10.24pm; iPhone 6S, 6.16pm; 17 July 2016]
