A change of wind is blowing in the Tokyo gubernatorial election ahead of the July 7 vote. Incumbent Yuriko Koike (71) enjoys the support of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito Party, while Renho, a member of the House of Councillors (56), is backed by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). However, the 'rivalry' between the ruling and opposition parties has collapsed as the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are expected to support Koike. In addition, Shinji Ishimaru (41), the former mayor of Aki Takada City in Hiroshima Prefecture who enjoys widespread support on SNS, launched his first campaign rally in Tokyo on July 15th.

This election is not simply a 'battle of women'. Ishimaru stated on a live broadcast on July 12th, "I'm starting my political activities in Tokyo in earnest," and mentioned the enthusiasm of volunteers. His official YouTube channel currently has 110,000 subscribers, and the 30-second video uploaded has been viewed 500,000 times. A video interview conducted by Yukan Fuji with Ishimaru has also garnered significant attention online, with over 300,000 views as of the morning of July 15th.

At a regular press conference on July 14th at 2 pm, Koike pointed out issues related to life, such as childcare and nursing care, as key issues in the gubernatorial election, stating, "In light of disasters and recent international affairs, how to protect the residents is a major issue." She plans to announce her policy proposals on July 18th. Renho held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan at the same time and indicated that the redevelopment of Meiji Jingu Gaien would be a key issue in the gubernatorial election. Renho emphasized, "Many residents are voicing their concerns. I want to ask if development that eliminates green spaces in Tokyo is truly necessary."

While Renho's side wants to create a 'rivalry between the ruling and opposition parties', the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to support Koike, as in the previous gubernatorial election, and is scheduled to make a formal decision at its executive committee on July 19th. The DPP, which receives support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, is scheduled to finalize its stance next week, but Kazuya Shinba, the secretary-general who is known as a pro-wrestling enthusiast, compared Koike to Giant Baba at a press conference on July 14th, saying, "It's the royal road." Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the CDP said on TBS CS television on July 14th, "The LDP emphasizes that 'Renho is strengthening her reformist stance.' We need to talk about the future and compete with confidence so that it doesn't appear that way." He advised Renho to be cautious about the way she collaborates with the JCP.

Ishimaru, who is attracting attention for entering the race between the two women, announced on his support group's X (formerly Twitter) on July 15th that he will be holding his first street speech in front of Shibuya Station. Attention is focused on how he will fare in 'real' reactions within Tokyo.