2023 Osaka gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2023 Osaka gubernatorial election
Country:	Osaka
Ongoing:	no
Type:	presidential
Previous Election:	2019 Osaka gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2019
Election Date:	9 April 2023
Next Election:	2027 Osaka Prefecture gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2027
Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Before Election:	Hirofumi Yoshimura
Before Party:	Restoration
After Election:	Hirofumi Yoshimura
After Party:	Restoration
Candidate1:	Hirofumi Yoshimura
Party1:	Restoration
Popular Vote1:	2,439,444
Percentage1:	73.7%
1Blank:	Supported by
1Data1:	—
Candidate2:	Taniguchi Mayumi
Party2:	Independent (politician)
Popular Vote2:	437,972
Percentage2:	13.2%
1Data2:	LDP, Komeito

The 2023 Osaka Prefecture Gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 9 April 2023 as part of the 20th unified local elections.^[1] Incumbent Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura won re-election to a second term, defeating Taniguchi Mayumi who was supported by the Liberal Democratic Party, Constitutional Democratic Party and several minor candidates.

Date of Public Notice / Date of Execution/Other info

Source:^[2]

Date of Official Announcement: 23 March 2023

Election Date: 9 April 2023

To be held in conjunction with elections for the Osaka City Assembly, and the Osaka Prefectural Gubernatorial and Prefectural Assembly.

Other Osaka Elections on 9 April

Osaka Prefectural Assembly, Osaka City Mayoral, Osaka City Council, Sakai City Council

Declared Candidates

!Name!Age!Affiliation!Occupation/Office

Yoshimura Hirofumi(incumbent)	47	Osaka Restoration Association^[3] (Ishin no Kai)	Governor of Osaka Prefecture (incumbent)Former Mayor of Osaka CityFormer member of the House of RepresentativesRepresentative of Osaka Restoration Association
Tatsumi Kotaro	46	IndependentSupported by Japan Communist Party	Former member of the House of CouncillorsCentral Committee Member of the Japanese Communist Party
Taniguchi Mayumi	47	IndependentSupported by "Update Osaka"^[4]	Legal ScholarVisiting associate professor, Osaka University of Arts
Yoshino Toshiaki	55	Sanseito (Do-it-Yourself Party)	DentistPolitical advisor to Sanseito
Inagaki Hideya	53	Shinto Kunimori (New Party Kunimori)	Writer
Sato Sayaka	34	Seijika Joshi 48 (Political Women 48)	Pharmacist

Timeline

2022.

• December 20 - Incumbent Yoshimura announces his candidacy for re-election at a meeting of the Osaka Restoration Association

2023.

• January 7 - The "Association for Creating a Bright Democratic Osaka Prefecture", a citizens' group formed by the Japanese Communist Party and labor unions, announces that it will endorse Kotaro Tatsumi, a former member of the House of Councillors from the Japanese Communist Party. It was also announced that the JCP intends to endorse him. On the same day, Tatsumi announced his candidacy at a press conference.
• February 5 - It was reported that the political group "Update Osaka" planned to endorse Mayumi Taniguchi, a law scholar and visiting associate professor at Osaka University of Arts. On February 8, Taniguchi officially announced her candidacy
• February 21 - It was reported that the NHK Party was working on the candidacy of Sayaka Sato, a pharmacist ^[5]
• February 24 - The Sangen Party announced the candidacy of Toshiaki Yoshino, a dentist^[6]
• February 27 - The political group New Party Kumori announced the candidacy of Hideya Inagaki, a writer
• February 27 - The NHK party announced that it would endorse Sato, but rescinded its endorsement of Sato the following day on February 28
• March 7 - Sato officially announced her candidacy at a press conference; on March 9, the Political Women 48 Party (formerly the NHK Party) announced it would endorse Sato https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230309/k00/00m/010/208000c^[7]
• April 9 - Election Held

Election Results

The election was held on 9 April and was won by the incumbent governor, Yoshimura Hirofumi of Osaka Ishin (Restoration) Party. 7,188,665 voters took part in the election (3,411,185 male voters and 3,777,480 female voters). Voter turnout was 46.98% down from 49.49％ in the 2019 gubernatorial election.^[8]

Prefecture Wide Results

!Candidate!Affiliation!Votes received!Notes

Yoshimura Hirohumi	Osaka Ishin (Restoration) Party	2,439,444	Incumbent and winner
Taniguchi Mayumi	Independent	437,972	Supported by Liberal Democratic Party and Constitutional Democratic Party^[9]
Tatsumi Kotaro	Independent	263,355	Supported by Japan Communist Party
Yoshino Toshiaki	Sanseito (Do-it-Yourself Party)	114,764
Sato Sayaka	Seijika Joshi 48 (Political Women 48)	32,459	Originally established as the Anti-NHK Party until changing its name in March 2023. Has gone by numerous names in its history
Inagaki Hideya	Shinto Kunimori (New Party Kunimori)	22,367

Election results from 選挙ドットコム^[10]

District by District Results

Name of voting district	Hirofumi Yoshimura		Mayumi Taniguchi		Kotaro Tatsumi		Toshiaki Yoshino		Sayaka Sato		Hideya Inagaki
	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%
Tsushima Ward, Osaka City	32,198.00	72.2	6,963.00	15.6	2,983.00	6.7	1,626.00	3.6	490	1.1	365	0.8
Fukushima Ward, Osaka City	22,384.00	73.6	4,066.00	13.4	2,251.00	7.4	1,103.00	3.6	361	1.2	247	0.8
Konohana-ku, Osaka City	17,706.00	68.9	2,888.00	11.2	3,941.00	15.3	709	2.8	259	1.0	185	0.7
Nishi Ward, Osaka City	26,250.00	72.9	4,831.00	13.4	2,329.00	6.5	1,800.00	5.0	446	1.2	338	0.9
Minato Ward Osaka City	22,279.00	70.5	4,977.00	15.7	2,537.00	8.0	1,121.00	3.5	439	1.4	258	0.8
Taisho Ward, Osaka City	17,720.00	70.7	3,588.00	14.3	2,435.00	9.7	803	3.2	363	1.4	168	0.7
Tennoji Ward, Osaka City	22,054.00	70.1	5,016.00	15.9	2,358.00	7.5	1,473.00	4.7	257	0.8	322	1.0
Naniwa-ku, Osaka City	12,041.00	68.6	2,843.00	16.2	1,362.00	7.8	811	4.6	286	1.6	210	1.2
Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City	26,155.00	69.4	4,546.00	12.1	5,358.00	14.2	1,065.00	2.8	364	1.0	204	0.5
Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City	45,530.00	72.5	8,853.00	14.1	4,730.00	7.5	2,385.00	3.8	745	1.2	533	0.8
Higashinari-ku, Osaka City	23,532.00	71.4	5,347.00	16.2	2,232.00	6.8	1,245.00	3.8	381	1.2	224	0.7
Ikuno Ward, Osaka City	27,055.00	69.0	7,151.00	18.2	2,937.00	7.5	1,249.00	3.2	507	1.3	296	0.8
Asahi-ku, Osaka	26,807.00	68.7	6,860.00	17.6	3,265.00	8.4	1,367.00	3.5	418	1.1	308	0.8
Joto-ku, Osaka City	51,658.00	71.5	11,427.00	15.8	5,563.00	7.7	2,316.00	3.2	813	1.1	496	0.7
Abeno Ward, Osaka City	32,429.00	67.7	9,054.00	18.9	3,820.00	8.0	1,795.00	3.7	373	0.8	411	0.9
Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City	42,616.00	69.4	9,970.00	16.2	5,523.00	9.0	2,108.00	3.4	747	1.2	420	0.7
Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City	36,858.00	70.8	8,396.00	16.1	3,969.00	7.6	1,777.00	3.4	617	1.2	455	0.9
Nishinari-ku, Osaka City	24,020.00	70.2	5,554.00	16.2	2,493.00	7.3	1,067.00	3.1	791	2.3	298	0.9
Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City	50,275.00	74.4	8,696.00	12.9	5,002.00	7.4	2,299.00	3.4	810	1.2	512	0.8
Tsurumi Ward, Osaka City	33,276.00	74.4	6,311.00	14.1	2,820.00	6.3	1,452.00	3.2	579	1.3	270	0.6
Suminoe-ku, Osaka City	34,930.00	71.4	7,759.00	15.9	3,655.00	7.5	1,549.00	3.2	698	1.4	351	0.7
Hirano Ward, Osaka City	52,590.00	71.6	11,512.00	15.7	5,415.00	7.4	2,381.00	3.2	1,031.00	1.4	526	0.7
Kita-ku, Osaka City	38,562.00	73.4	6,967.00	13.3	3,761.00	7.2	2,245.00	4.3	518	1.0	456	0.9
Chuo-ku, Osaka City	26,410.00	70.7	5,265.00	14.1	3,074.00	8.2	1,837.00	4.9	398	1.1	375	1.0
Osaka City	745,335.00	71.2	158,840.00	15.2	83,813.00	8.0	37,583.00	3.6	12,691.00	1.2	8,228.00	0.8
Sakai City Sakai Ward	39,505.00	71.6	7,920.00	14.4	5,064.00	9.2	1,755.00	3.2	562	1.0	361	0.7
Sakai City, Naka Ward	31,841.00	75.4	5,565.00	13.2	2,678.00	6.3	1,299.00	3.1	560	1.3	282	0.7
Sakai City, Higashi Ward	25,668.00	73.8	4,815.00	13.8	2,593.00	7.5	1,144.00	3.3	326	0.9	220	0.6
Nishi-ku, Sakai City	38,318.00	74.4	6,598.00	12.8	4,120.00	8.0	1,601.00	3.1	570	1.1	295	0.6
Sakai City, Minami Ward	41,306.00	71.4	8,310.00	14.4	5,523.00	9.6	1,806.00	3.1	571	1.0	310	0.5
Sakai City Kita Ward	45,390.00	72.4	8,424.00	13.4	5,489.00	8.8	2,326.00	3.7	630	1.0	450	0.7
Mihara Ward, Sakai City	9,209.00	75.8	1,658.00	13.7	782	6.4	330	2.7	89	0.7	76	0.6
Sakai City	231,237.00	73.1	43,290.00	13.7	26,249.00	8.3	10,261.00	3.2	3,308.00	1.0	1,994.00	0.6
Kishiwada City	47,324.00	74.7	6,952.00	11.0	5,844.00	9.2	2,287.00	3.6	594	0.9	346	0.5
Toyonaka City	115,706.00	74.6	19,462.00	12.5	11,614.00	7.5	5,829.00	3.8	1,418.00	0.9	1,102.00	0.7
Ikeda City	30,317.00	71.4	6,279.00	14.8	3,713.00	8.7	1,541.00	3.6	308	0.7	297	0.7
Suita City	116,569.00	73.7	18,763.00	11.9	14,601.00	9.2	5,892.00	3.7	1,347.00	0.9	1,029.00	0.7
Izumiotsu City	19,443.00	78.1	2,510.00	10.1	1,836.00	7.4	802	3.2	182	0.7	115	0.5
Takatsuki City	110,140.00	74.5	19,308.00	13.1	11,249.00	7.6	4,641.00	3.1	1,399.00	0.9	1,133.00	0.8
Kaizuka City	19,175.00	75.0	3,325.00	13.0	1,582.00	6.2	1,103.00	4.3	225	0.9	143	0.6
Moriguchi City	39,395.00	77.3	5,336.00	10.5	3,759.00	7.4	1,714.00	3.4	373	0.7	374	0.7
Hirakata City	120,564.00	74.9	20,652.00	12.8	12,204.00	7.6	5,265.00	3.3	1,349.00	0.8	1,010.00	0.6
Ibaraki City	81,907.00	75.2	12,913.00	11.8	8,906.00	8.2	3,593.00	3.3	1,008.00	0.9	644	0.6
Yao City	75,448.00	75.7	11,586.00	11.6	7,955.00	8.0	3,321.00	3.3	839	0.8	538	0.5
Izumisano City	23,727.00	79.4	3,090.00	10.3	1,608.00	5.4	1,063.00	3.6	197	0.7	180	0.6
Tondabayashi City	29,093.00	73.6	4,990.00	12.6	3,532.00	8.9	1,398.00	3.5	261	0.7	270	0.7
Neyagawa City	66,817.00	76.1	10,446.00	11.9	6,803.00	7.7	2,622.00	3.0	705	0.8	442	0.5
Kawachinagano City	33,712.00	76.6	4,861.00	11.0	3,696.00	8.4	1,268.00	2.9	234	0.5	222	0.5
Matsubara City	28,011.00	74.9	4,407.00	11.8	3,317.00	8.9	1,168.00	3.1	320	0.9	189	0.5
Daito City	28,616.00	75.5	4,622.00	12.2	2,882.00	7.6	1,259.00	3.3	289	0.8	212	0.6
Izumi City	45,095.00	76.5	7,046.00	12.0	4,026.00	6.8	1,929.00	3.3	483	0.8	353	0.6
Minoh City	40,618.00	74.1	6,805.00	12.4	4,244.00	7.7	2,261.00	4.1	533	1.0	381	0.7
Kashiwabara City	18,277.00	75.3	2,744.00	11.3	2,064.00	8.5	870	3.6	150	0.6	154	0.6
Habikino City	28,553.00	73.4	4,667.00	12.0	3,844.00	9.9	1,279.00	3.3	299	0.8	238	0.6
Kadoma City	28,514.00	78.3	3,588.00	9.9	2,437.00	6.7	1,257.00	3.5	365	1.0	242	0.7
Settsu City	21,515.00	76.1	2,921.00	10.3	2,559.00	9.0	850	3.0	262	0.9	179	0.6
Takaishi City	17,346.00	76.9	2,532.00	11.2	1,491.00	6.6	802	3.6	253	1.1	128	0.6
Fujiidera City	16,846.00	74.8	2,777.00	12.3	1,899.00	8.4	735	3.3	156	0.7	117	0.5
Higashi-Osaka City	124,855.00	75.1	20,955.00	12.6	11,672.00	7.0	6,067.00	3.6	1,638.00	1.0	1,047.00	0.6
Sennan City	13,406.00	76.2	2,124.00	12.1	1,213.00	6.9	636	3.6	111	0.6	103	0.6
Shijonawate City	14,404.00	76.3	2,280.00	12.1	1,282.00	6.8	665	3.5	149	0.8	107	0.6
Katano City	23,952.00	74.4	4,174.00	13.0	2,587.00	8.0	1,067.00	3.3	248	0.8	184	0.6
Osaka Sayama City	16,338.00	75.4	2,544.00	11.7	1,798.00	8.3	719	3.3	132	0.6	148	0.7
Hannan City	13,973.00	76.9	2,233.00	12.3	1,165.00	6.4	552	3.0	123	0.7	125	0.7
Shimamoto Town	10,547.00	71.8	1,948.00	13.3	1,464.00	10.0	533	3.6	112	0.8	93	0.6
Mishima Village	10,547.00	71.8	1,948.00	13.3	1,464.00	10.0	533	3.6	112	0.8	93	0.6
Toyono Town	6,886.00	73.0	1,410.00	14.9	734	7.8	315	3.3	43	0.5	47	0.5
Nose Town	2,946.00	71.6	600	14.6	296	7.2	186	4.5	51	1.2	35	0.9
Toyono Town	9,832.00	72.6	2,010.00	14.8	1,030.00	7.6	501	3.7	94	0.7	82	0.6
Tadaoka Town	4,562.00	77.0	555	9.4	511	8.6	182	3.1	76	1.3	36	0.6
Senboku County	4,562.00	77.0	555	9.4	511	8.6	182	3.1	76	1.3	36	0.6
Kumatori Town	11,397.00	75.7	1,865.00	12.4	1,089.00	7.2	543	3.6	90	0.6	76	0.5
Tajiri Town	2,234.00	75.6	305	10.3	259	8.8	108	3.7	31	1.0	17	0.6
Cape Town	4,979.00	77.4	849	13.2	393	6.1	154	2.4	31	0.5	30	0.5
Sennan County	18,610.00	76.1	3,019.00	12.3	1,741.00	7.1	805	3.3	152	0.6	123	0.5
Taishi Town	3,532.00	75.2	544	11.6	427	9.1	144	3.1	22	0.5	29	0.6
Kawanamachi	4,384.00	76.1	630	10.9	464	8.1	210	3.6	46	0.8	24	0.4
Chihaya Akasaka Village	1,749.00	73.8	244	10.3	274	11.6	90	3.8	8	0.3	6	0.3
Minami-Kawachi District	9,665.00	75.3	1,418.00	11.1	1,165.00	9.1	444	3.5	76	0.6	59	0.5

Notes and References

1. Web site: Shimbun . The Yomiuri . 2023-03-09 . 980 Races Expected in Japan's Upcoming Local Elections . 2023-03-14 . japannews.yomiuri.co.jp . en.
2. Web site: 大阪府知事の選挙一覧 ｜ 選挙ドットコム . 2023-03-14 . 選挙ドットコム . ja.
3. Web site: Shimbun . The Yomiuri . 2023-01-15 . LDP to Field Own Candidates to Take on Ishin for Osaka Governor, Mayor in April . 2023-03-14 . japannews.yomiuri.co.jp . en.
4. Web site: 2023-02-08 . 2 Bid to Challenge Osaka Ishin in Governor, Mayor Races . 2023-03-14 . nippon.com . en.
5. Web site: INC . SANKEI DIGITAL . 2023-02-21 . Ｎ党、大阪府知事選に３４歳女性薬剤師を擁立へ . 2023-03-14 . 産経ニュース . ja.
6. Web site: 「大阪から日本を取り戻す」参政党の吉野敏明氏 大阪知事選出馬表明 . 2023-03-14 . 毎日新聞 . ja.
7. Web site: INC . SANKEI DIGITAL . 2023-03-07 . 薬剤師の佐藤氏が出馬会見 大阪府知事選で６人目 . 2023-03-14 . 産経ニュース . ja.
8. Web site: 大阪府知事選挙 - 2023年04月09日投票 大阪府 . 2023-04-11 . 選挙ドットコム . ja.
9. Web site: Poll: Osaka Ishin leads elections despite casino opposition The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis . 2023-04-11 . The Asahi Shimbun . en.
10. Web site: 大阪府知事選挙 - 2023年04月09日投票 大阪府 . 2023-04-11 . 選挙ドットコム . ja.