Izumiya wins 6th term in Suzu mayoral election; recovery from Noto Peninsula earthquake is at issue

Votes were counted in the Suzu mayoral election in Ishikawa Prefecture on the 24th, and the incumbent independent, Masahiro Izumitani (62), defeated the former city council member and new independent, Shuichi Ura (63), winning his sixth term. The number of voters on the day was 9,198, and the turnout was 71.53% (previously 71.45%).

Vote counting results for Suzu mayoral election in Ishikawa Prefecture

To 4,270 Masuhiro Izumitani 62 Mugen (6)

2,243 Shuichi Ura 63 Mushin (confirmed votes)

The election campaign was centered around recovery and reconstruction efforts, including policies for the development of public housing for disaster victims, following the extensive damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. ``The next three to four years are extremely important. This is a critical moment for the future of Suzu City,'' said Izumiya, stressing that by continuing to take charge of city government, he has a responsibility to pave the way for recovery.

Of the 12 members of the city council, eight members of the Liberal Democratic Party supported Izumitani, and the Northern Noto Medical Federation, JA, and the Suzu Construction Industry Association also recommended him. Mr. Izumiya emphasized the city's achievements in disaster response, including establishing its own subsidy system for new housing construction and repairs, and vowed to ``achieve a more attractive, state-of-the-art reconstruction.''

Mr. Ura has advocated ``toward a new Suzu City'' since Mr. Izumiya's fifth term, 20 years ago. Criticizing the city's policy for developing disaster public housing, he said, ``The city is pushing forward with the construction of housing complexes without paying attention to the voices of many citizens.'' The company has set out a policy of providing detached houses to those who wish to do so.