Yokohama voters were casting ballots for mayor on Sunday in an election expected to affect unpopular Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's prospects for keeping his post amid a COVID-19 surge across Japan.
A loss by the Suga-backed Liberal Democratic Party candidate in Suga's home turf just south of Tokyo would pile pressure on the premier, whose approval ratings slid below 30% in August, fanning concerns in the LDP about his ability to lead into a general election this year.
Suga, who took office last September after predecessor Shinzo Abe quit citing ill health, is struggling to contain the pandemic, with national daily infections hitting a record 25,000 last week. Hachiro Okonogi, backed by Suga, is running in a crowded field of eight including the incumbent mayor, two former governors and opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan candidate Takeharu Yamanaka, a professor of public health.
Although Yokohama is in Suga's constituency in parliament, a survey conducted by a local newspaper in mid-August found Okonogi trailing Yamanaka, reflecting concerns over the government's handling of the pandemic. Kanagawa, the prefecture where Yokohama is located, has been under a state of emergency since Aug. 2, but infections have continued to rise. The prefecture recorded a record 2,878 cases on Friday, according to public broadcaster NHK.Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Linda Sieg and William MallardSubscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Biden picks Chicago ex-mayor Rahm Emanuel as Japan ambassadorPresident Joe Biden plans to nominate Rahm Emanuel, who previously served as chief of staff to former President Barack Obama and mayor of Chicago, as U.S. ambassador to Japan, the White House said on Friday.
Weiterlesen »
Biden picks Chicago ex-mayor Rahm Emanuel as Japan ambassadorWASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden plans to nominate Rahm Emanuel, who previously served as chief of staff to former President Barack Obama and mayor of Chicago, as U.S. ambassador to Japan, the White House said on Friday. White House officials lauded Emanuel's experience and long years of public service. Emanuel said he was honored to be tapped for the job.
Weiterlesen »
Biden picks Burns for China ambassador; Emanuel for JapanPresident Joe Biden is nominating longtime former senior State Department official Nicholas Burns to serve as his ambassador to China and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as his envoy to Japan.
Weiterlesen »
Earthquake, Magnitude 5.4 - OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN - 2021 August 22, 02:24:34 UTCMagnitude: mb 5.4, Region: OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN, Date time: 2021-08-22 02:24:34.0 UTC, Location: 37.56 N ; 142.00 E, Depth: 60 km.
Weiterlesen »
Biden picks Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan and Nicholas Burns as top envoy to ChinaPresident Joe Biden on Friday announced his intention to nominate Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan and Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China.
Weiterlesen »
In Japan, novelty sweets mark the seasonsIt’s chocominto season in Japan. Everything, from bubble-tea to bagels, is flavoured with chocolate-mint
Weiterlesen »