Nagano's anti-dam governor to run for election again

Nagano Prefectural Governor Tanaka Yasuo, who was rejected by the pro-dam majority in the assembly on July 15, opted to lose the governorship and run for the next gubernatorial election without dissolving the assembly.

With this decision, Nagano's next gubernatorial election will be held at the end of August or at the beginning of September.

In the October 2000 election, Tanaka pledged to review wasteful spending on public works projects, especially the construction of unnecessary dams in the prefecture with the Japan Alps and many high plains. After round-table talks with residents near planned dam sites, he decided to suspend plans on two dams.

Tanaka said, "Most of my proposals, including personnel affairs and a draft supplementary budget were approved by the assembly. So, I decided to seek the prefectural people's judgment in the election."

Ishizaka Chiho, the five-membered Japanese Communist Party prefectural assembly team chair, on the same day expressed that the party understands the governor's decision. Including not running its own candidate, the JCP will positively deal with the gubernatorial election, she said.

In the previous governor's election, the JCP fought with its own candidate supported by the Association of Nagano to Establish a Bright Prefecture. On the non-confidence motion in Tanaka, only the JCP members voted against it.

Ishizaka said that the need now for the prefectural people in the coming election is to make a sharp criticism of the Liberal Democratic Party and other forces for joining in the outrageous motion. (end)