2026 Japanese local elections

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In 2026, numerous local elections are scheduled to be held in Japan outside the unified local elections in 2023 and 2027, including 12 gubernatorial elections and other local elections, due to term expiry.

Contents

Background

This section is an excerpt from Elections in Japan.[ edit ]

The Japanese political process has two types of elections.

  • National elections (国政選挙, kokusei senkyo)
  • Subnational/local elections (地方選挙, chihō senkyo)

While the national level features a parliamentary system of government where the head of government is elected indirectly by the legislature, prefectures and municipalities employ a presidential system where chief executives and legislative assemblies are directly elected, independently from each other. Many of the prefectural and municipal elections are held together in unified local elections (統一地方選挙, Tōitsu chihō senkyo) since 1947, held in years before leap years; [1] but since each election cycle of every chief executive or assembly of any prefecture or municipality is independent and not reset after resignations/deaths/recalls/no-confidence votes/dissolutions/municipal mergers, there are also many non-unified local elections today. Prefectural and municipal assemblies are unicameral, the National Diet is bicameral, with the two houses on independent election cycles.

Gubernatorial

At least 12 gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held in 2026.

Fukui Prefecture

The 2026 Fukui gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on January 25, 2026. [2]

Background

Incumbent Tatsuji Sugimoto stepped down from office on December 4, 2025 following allegation of sexual harassing staff using texts. [3]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
January 25, 2026Vacant [A] NoneTBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
Kanemoto Yukie JCP
Takato Ishida Independent
Ken'ichi Yamada Independent
Sources: [2]

Yamaguchi Prefecture

The 2026 Yamaguchi gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026. [4]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
February 8, 2026 Tsugumasa Muraoka LDP TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
Tsugumasa Muraoka (Incumbent) LDP
Machiko Arichika Independent
Masako Okubo Independent
Sources: [4]

Nagasaki Prefecture

The 2026 Nagasaki gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026. [5]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
February 8, 2026 Kengo Oishi Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
Kengo Oishi (Incumbent) Independent
Ken Hirata Independent
Sources: [5]

Ishikawa Prefecture

The 2026 Ishikawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on March 8, 2026. [6]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
March 8, 2026 Hiroshi Hase LDP TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
Hiroshi Hase (Incumbent) LDP
Yoshinori Yamano Independent
Sources: [6]

Kyoto Prefecture

The 2026 Kyoto gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on April 5, 2026. [7]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
April 5, 2026 Takatoshi Nishiwaki Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
Takatoshi Nishiwaki (Incumbent) Independent
Sources: [7]

Niigata Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Niigata gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on June 9, 2026. [8]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
June 2026 Hideyo Hanazumi Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Shiga Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Shiga gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on July 24, 2026. [9]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
July 2026 Taizō Mikazuki Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Nagano Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Nagano gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on August 31, 2026. [10]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
August 2026 Shuichi Abe Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Kagawa Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Kagawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on September 4, 2026. [11]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
September 2026 Toyohito Ikeda Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Okinawa Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Okinawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on September 29, 2026. [12]

DateBefore electionAfter election
Governor PartyGovernorParty
September 2026 Denny Tamaki Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Fukushima Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Fukushima gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on November 11, 2026. [12]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
November 2026 Masao Uchibori Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Aichi Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Aichi gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on November 30, 2026. [12]

DateBefore electionAfter election
GovernorPartyGovernorParty
November 2026 Hideaki Ōmura Independent TBA
Sources:
Candidates [B] PartyVotes%
TBA
Sources:

Mayoral

January

Source: [13]

DateCity/Town/VillagePrefectureResultRef
January 12 Maebashi Ibaraki Prefecture
January 17 Wassamu Hokkaido Prefecture
January 18 Ninohe Iwate Prefecture
Iwaizumi
Minamisoma Fukushima Prefecture
Azumino Nagano Prefecture
Tosashimizu Kochi Prefecture
Makurazaki Kagoshima Prefecture
Kusatsu Gunma Prefecture
Chonan Chiba Prefecture
Otaki
Takamori Nagano Prefecture
Takagi
Satosho Okayama Prefecture
Katsuura Tokushima Prefecture
Kitajima
January 25 Hokuto Hokkaido Prefecture
Hanamaki Iwate Prefecture
Shiwa
Hirono
Kitakata Fukushima Prefecture
Date
Honjo Saitama Prefecture
Fukaya
Kamikawa
Tsu Mie Prefecture
Taki
Kiho
Hadano Kanagawa Prefecture
Gosen Niigata Prefecture
Awara Fukui Prefecture
Minokamo Gifu Prefecture
Susono Shizuoka Prefecture
Ayabe Kyoto Prefecture
Kaizuka Osaka Prefecture
Mitoyo Kagawa Prefecture
Konan Kochi Prefecture
Nakatosa
Kurume Fukuoka Prefecture
Ureshino Saga Prefecture
Matsuura Nagasaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Miyazaki Prefecture
Kanoya Kagoshima Prefecture
Ibusuki
Nago Okinawa Prefecture
Yaese
Nanbu Aomori Prefecture
Misato Miyagi Prefecture
Tako Chiba Prefecture
Tateyama Toyama Prefecture
Anamizu Ishikawa Prefecture
Kamitonda Wakayama Prefecture
Kotoura Tottori Prefecture
Chikujo Fukuoka Prefecture
Kusu Oita Prefecture
Soni Nara Prefecture
Kuma Kumamoto Prefecture

Notes

  1. ↑ Tatsuji Sugimoto resigned on December 4, 2025, thus the gubernatorial seat is vacant.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Listed here are candidates who formally announced their candidacy

References

  1. ↑ "総務省|選挙の種類". 総務省 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  2. 1 2 "Fukui kenchiji-sen, ken shichō-kai ga Yamada Ken'ichi-shi o suisen kensei kadai e no "sokusenryoku" to shite kitai" 福井県知事選、県市長会が山田賢一氏を推薦　県政課題への「即戦力」として期待 [Fukui Prefectural Mayors' Association recommends Kenichi Yamada for gubernatorial election, expecting him to be an "immediate asset" to tackle prefectural issues]. Fukui Shimbun (in Japanese). January 5, 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  3. ↑ ""Keep it secret": report reveals details of ex-Japan governor's sex scandal". South China Morning Post . 7 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Yamaguchi kenchiji senkyo no kokuji made 1-kagetsu han, Jimintō-in dōshi no "bunretsu senkyo"-jiku ni ugoki kappatsu-ka… 3-ri ga mushozoku de rikkōho hyōmei" 山口県知事選挙の告示まで１か月半、自民党員同士の「分裂選挙」軸に動き活発化…３人が無所属で立候補表明 [With one and a half months until the Yamaguchi Prefectural Gubernatorial Election is set, LDP members are increasingly moving toward a "split election"... Three independent candidates have set their candidacy]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 11 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Nagasaki kenchiji-sen no rikkōho yotei-sha no yukutoshikurutoshi… nigiwai tobikomi, chimeido appu ni yakki jinja de hachiawase mo" 長崎県知事選の立候補予定者のゆく年くる年…にぎわい飛び込み、知名度アップに躍起 神社で鉢合わせも - 長崎新聞 2026/01/05 [10:30] 公開 [Nagasaki gubernatorial election candidates jump into the crowds to boost their profile, even bumping into each other at a shrine]. Nagasaki Shimbun (in Japanese). 5 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Ishikawa kenchiji senkyo, 2026-nen 2 tsuki 19-nichi kokuji 3 gatsu 8-nichi tōkaihyō" 石川県知事選挙、2026年2月19日告示・3月8日投開票 [Ishikawa Prefectural Gubernatorial Election: Announcement on February 19, 2026, Voting on March 8]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 18 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Genshoku Nishiwaki-shi ga 3 senshutsu-ba e Kyōto chiji-sen" 現職西脇氏が３選出馬へ 京都知事選 [Incumbent Nishiwaki to run for third term in Kyoto gubernatorial election]. Jiji Press (in Japanese). 5 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "2026-Nen Nīgata kenchiji-sen, Jimin kenren ga Hanazumi-shi ni 3-sen-muke rikkōho yōsei" 2026年新潟県知事選、自民県連が花角氏に3選向け立候補要請 [2026 Niigata Prefectural Gubernatorial Election: LDP Prefectural Chapter Asks Hanakaku to Run for a Third Term]. Niigata Nippo (in Japanese). 26 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Shiga ken no mikadzuki taizō chiji "4 senshutsu-ba handan wa toshiake ni" tasen hihan o keikai" 滋賀県の三日月大造知事「4選出馬判断は年明けに」 多選批判を警戒 [Shiga Governor Mikazuki Taizo: "I will decide on my fourth term in the new year," wary of criticism of repeated re-election]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 1 August 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Nagano ken'nai kotoshi 18 no shichōson-chō senkyo to kenchiji senkyo ga jisshi yotei" 長野県内 ことし１８の市町村長選挙と県知事選挙が実施予定 [Nagano Prefecture: Eighteen mayoral elections and a prefectural governor election are scheduled to be held this year]. NHK (in Japanese). 4 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "2026-Nen no Kagawa ken wa "senkyo rasshu"" 2026年の香川県は「選挙ラッシュ」 [Kagawa Prefecture will experience an "election rush" in 2026]. Nippon News Network (in Japanese). 1 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "2026-Nen no chūmoku senkyo" 2026年の注目選挙 [Notable elections in 2026]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "2026-Nen 1 tsuki no senkyo ichiran" 2026年1月の選挙一覧 [January 2026 Election List]. NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 January 2026.
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