Koike set to become 1st female Tokyo governor

ASTANA. KAZINFORM - Former defense minister Yuriko Koike is assured of victory in Sunday's Tokyo gubernatorial election, according to Kyodo News projections, becoming the first woman to lead the metropolis.

photo: QAZINFORM

Thanking her supporters in the evening after her victory was clear, Koike, 64, said, "While feeling the weight of this result, I want to thoroughly push the metropolitan government forward as the new governor."

A record 21 candidates discussed their vision for the metropolis during the 17-day campaign period, including how to ensure success of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, and dealing with a shortage of facilities to care for Tokyo's oldest and youngest residents.

Kazinform refers to Kyodo