World News Nagano governor likely to seek re-election

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Yasuo Tanaka, governor of Nagano Prefecture, said July 9 he has a strong willingness to carry out reform as governor, suggesting he may stand for reelection.

The governor's comment to reporters came after the Nagano prefectural assembly passed a no-confidence motion against him July 5.

Forty-four members of the 60-member assembly voted in favor of the motion, accusing Tanaka — elected two years ago in a win that ended decades of conservative control — of "causing confusion in local politics with his self-righteous and crude" manner of governing.

It is only the second time in Japan's postwar history that a no-confidence motion has been passed against a governor. In the previous case, the Gifu prefectural assembly in 1976 passed one against then Gov. Saburo Hirano after he was implicated in a bribery scandal.

Many local Nagano politicians were annoyed at Tanaka's policy of reviewing public works projects, especially dam construction, to save money and protect the environment.

Tanaka can now dissolve the assembly for a snap election or step down to run for re-election. His remarks suggest that he is likely to choose the latter.

長野県知事、再出馬の意向

長野県の田中康夫知事は、県議会による不信任後、知事選が実施された場合は出馬するだろうと示唆した。

Shukan ST: July 19, 2002

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