Former Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka to run for re-election, resigns over power harassment issue

Former mayor of Yokohama City, Takeharu Yamanaka (54), who resigned due to power harassment issues with senior staff, informed his supporters at a supporter's association meeting on the 28th of his intention to run again in the mayoral election (announced on October 4th, votes counted on October 18th). A press conference will be held on the 29th to make an official announcement.

Former Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka to run for re-election, resigns over power harassment issue

The meeting was held behind closed doors, and according to multiple attendees, Yamanaka began by apologizing for a series of problems. ``I pledge to create a city hall free of power harassment,'' and ``I want to fulfill my promise during last year's mayoral election,'' he said. After the meeting, Yamanaka was asked by reporters about his candidacy, and he simply said, ``I'll let you know tomorrow (the 29th).''

Yamanaka was first elected as mayor in August 2021 after serving as a professor at Yokohama City University. In last year's mayoral election, he was re-elected with support from the three major factions of the city council: the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and Constitutional Democratic Party.

In January of this year, a current city official accused Yamanaka of power harassment. An investigation report released in July by third-party lawyers identified seven items of behavior directed at senior executives as acts of power harassment. There was a growing movement in the city council demanding Yamanaka's resignation, and he resigned on the 7th of this month.