Osaka expected to elect Japan's first
woman governor
OSAKA -- Osaka voters are expected to elect Japan's first
woman governor after polls Sunday to replace "Knock" Yokoyama, who resigned following a sex scandal.
Futsae Ota is supported by both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and
the main opposition Democratic Party. Her chief opponent is university
professor Makoto Ajisaka who is backed by the Japanese Communist Party.
The major parties appear to have thrown their weight behind Ota partly
because of the perception that a woman has the best chance of beating
Ajisaka, who is expected to attract many votes.
Discontent with the two major parties led to victories for independents
in recent elections in Tokyo and Osaka.
Many analysts feel Sunday's polls in Osaka and the mayor's race in Kyoto, Japan's ancient cultural center, will provide a barometer of public
opinion on Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and his LDP.
The governor's race in Osaka comes after Yokoyama was indicted for
molesting a 21-year-old woman campaign worker.
A civil court ordered Yokoyama to pay the woman 11 million yen in damages, the largest sex harassment award ever.
Obuchi has been in trouble and may be forced to call early elections.
Recently, opposition members carried out an unprecedented boycott of
the Prime Minister during a presentation to Parliament.
Earlier Stories
Obuchi faces
parliamentary boycott, early elections loom
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