Progressive mayor reelected in recognition of his achievements

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Progressive mayor reelected in recognition of his achievements

With a residents' grassroots campaign as the driving force, progressive independent candidate Nakasato Nagato on February 4 was reelected for his second term in the Rikuzentakata City mayoral election in Iwate Prefecture, defeating his rival, a former Democratic Party prefectural assembly member.

Nakasato received 9,865 votes with a margin of 2,524 votes, which is more than double the margin recorded in the previous election.

"The election outcome reflected residents' wishes to carry forward the Nagasato city government policy," a supporter pointed out.

Four years ago, on the strong recommendation of residents calling for the cancellation of the city plan to construct a thalasso-therapy facility, Nakasato, who was a Japanese Communist Party city assembly member, ran in the election as an independent candidate and won his first term in office.

He successfully reduced the city debt by calling off the resort development plan. In cooperation with residents, his government has also achieved significant results in improving child-rearing and welfare services, promoting local businesses, and creating jobs.

Amid growing public expectation of the progressive city government, candidate Nakasato appealed to voters to further advance the new city policies.

Iwate Prefecture is a Democratic Party stronghold, and Nakasato's opponent camp waged a fierce campaign capitalizing on business and community ties hand in hand with the local district-elected DPJ lawmaker's support group. This type of campaign, however, aroused resentment among many residents.
- Akahata, February 5 & 6, 2007