Japan has a candidate shortage for local elections on Sunday

Population decline, apathy mean polls will go uncontested in 40% of districts

20230407 Poster boards for candidates

Poster boards for local election candidates in Yokohama, Japan.  © Kyodo

AKIRA KITADO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's shrinking population has led to a shortage of candidates for local elections being held across the country on Sunday, with candidates running uncontested in about 40% of nearly 1,000 districts.

Voters will select governors in nine prefectures, mayors in six major cities, and assembly members in 41 prefectures and 17 large cities.

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