Former progressive governor Ota puts up good fight

In Tokushima Prefecture, candidate Ota Tadashi, the former governor backed by progressive forces, including the JCP, put up a good fight in the gubernatorial election on May 18 although he was defeated by a narrow margin. The winner was candidate Iizumi Kamon, backed by the three ruling parties.

The election took place after the no-confidence motion against Ota was rammed through by the Liberal Democratic, Komei and other conservative parties in the prefectural assembly.

Ota received 197,732 votes (47.7 percent), about 30,000 more than what he received in the previous election in April 2002. He was defeated by a margin of only 8,500 votes.

The Komei Party, which maintained neutrality in the previous election, joined the conservative camp this time.

Ota's camp called for corruption in prefectural politics to be eliminated and more contracts for public works projects to be given to local companies. (end)