- Title: Tokyo goes to polls, incumbent Koike in lead as virus resurges
- Date: 5th July 2020
- Summary: PLASTIC CURTAINS AND VOTING REGISTRATION DESK/VOTERS ARRIVING PLASTIC CURTAIN / SIGN READING (Japanese): "BALLOT PAPER DISTRIBUTION" ELECTION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE STAFF IN FRONT OF PLASTIC CURTAIN INSTRUCTING VOTER WHERE TO FILL BALLOT PAPER VOTERS FILLING OUT BALLOT PAPER VOTER WITH GLOVES FILLING BALLOT PAPER VARIOUS OF VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 30-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, YUTA SHINADA, SAYING: "I think she (Koike) is trying to make sure that the medical system is adequate and she is urging (citizens) to avoid going out (to night entertainment areas). But I am wondering why she hasn't issued a request to ask people to refrain from going out although the the number of infections has increased recently." VOTERS QUEUING IN FRONT OF VOTING ROOM VOTERS STANDING AND LINES ON FLOOR INDICATING WHERE TO STAND TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE VARIOUS OF VOTERS DISINFECTING THEIR HANDS VOTER PUTTING ON PLASTIC GLOVES (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 70-YEAR-OLD SUSHI RESTAURANT OWNER, AIKO SAIJO, SAYING: "Although her words sound strong, to be honest I don't think there is any real improvement. I cannot rest easy at all." VARIOUS OF VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS ENTRANCE OF POLLING STATION SIGN READING (Japanese): "TOKYO GOVERNOR ELECTION"
- Embargoed: 19th July 2020 05:37
- Keywords: COVID-19 Japan Tokyo Governor election Yuriko Koike new coronavirus vote
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA003CLJ6URR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Voters in Tokyo went to the polls on Sunday (July 5) to elect their governor, with incumbent Yuriko Koike forecast to clinch a victory, as Japan's capital struggles with rebounding coronavirus infections and prepares for next year's Olympics.
Cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 rose for a fourth straight day to a two-month high of 131 on Saturday (July 4), the third day in a row over 100. The metropolis accounts for 11% of Japan's population, but has represented half of the country's daily infections in recent weeks.
Koike, who became Tokyo's first woman governor in 2016, saw her popularity surge this year as her straight-talking approach to the outbreak won the public's support. But the recent spike of the cases in the capital made voters more concerned.
"Although her words sound strong, to be honest I don't think there is any real improvement. I cannot rest easy at all," said Aiko Saijo, a 70-year-old sushi restaurant owner.
Voting ends at 8 p.m. (1100 GMT), with media likely to call the outcome soon after.
(Production: Hideto Sakai) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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