- Title: Tokyo goes to polls, incumbent Koike in lead as virus resurges
- Date: 5th July 2020
- Summary: POSTER OF INCUMBENT TOKYO GOVERNOR, YURIKO KOIKE
- 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: LVA002CLJ6URR
- 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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