Kawaguchi Election Brings Focus on Foreign Resident Policy as Turnout Jumps

In the February 1 Kawaguchi City mayoral election in Saitama Prefecture, former prefectural assembly member Yuriko Okamura (44) won her first election victory as an independent newcomer. She defeated five other newcomers, including Yasuhiro Tateishi (64), an independent backed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), becoming Kawaguchi's first female mayor.

Voter turnout was 40.98%, a sharp increase of 19.31 points from the previous election in 2022, when turnout was 21.67%, the lowest on record. Many saw the election's foreign-resident-related controversies as a factor heightening public interest.

With three-term incumbent mayor Nobuo Okunoki (74) stepping down, a record six candidates entered the race. One of the central issues was Kawaguchi's foreign resident problem, as tensions have surfaced between some residents and a segment of Kurdish people holding Turkish nationality. Okamura broadened her support by urging tougher measures, including stricter enforcement of everyday "living rules."

*Yuriko Okamura celebrates with supporters after securing victory in the Kawaguchi mayoral election, February 1, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture.*

Background and Stance

Okamura is the second daughter of former mayor Koshiro Okamura. After her father died of illness while serving in office, she won a top-seat finish in the Kawaguchi City Assembly election in 2015.

She went on to place first in the 2019 Saitama Prefectural Assembly election, and entered the mayoral race mid-way through her second term. In the prefectural assembly, she belonged to the conservative-leaning caucus Mushozoku Kenmin Kaigi (Independent Citizens' Council).

On foreign-resident issues, she said the national government should take responsibility for ensuring that illegal overstayers leave Japan, while the city should strengthen measures to require foreign residents to follow everyday rules. After her victory, she said:

"Illegal foreigners should go back under the national government's responsibility. Rules that must be followed should be followed."

Debate Over Foreign Resident Response Center

Tateishi, backed by the incumbent as his preferred successor, campaigned on creating what local LDP lawmakers billed as Japan's first one-stop office for foreign resident issues. The proposal was tentatively dubbed the Kawaguchi City foreign resident policy response center. He fell short.

*Tateishi Yasuhiro addresses supporters after his defeat. At left is Mayor Nobuo Okunoki, February 1, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture.*

At his campaign office, Tateishi acknowledged defeat. "It's due to my own shortcomings," he said. "I couldn't fully communicate my policies to the public." Standing beside him, former mayor Okunoki said they would "continue to urge the new mayor" to establish the center.

After her victory, Okamura said she would first examine the proposal and listen to residents before deciding whether the center is necessary and what its mandate should be.