On March 16, 2025, Junichi Kamiya achieved remarkable success by securing re-election as the mayor of Chiba City, garnering 245,748 votes—the highest number since record-keeping began in 1950. Shortly after the election, Kamiya made his first appearance at city hall on March 17, 2025, where he embraced his role with enthusiasm, stating his commitment to serve the community effectively.
During his inaugural address, Kamiya quoted the renowned French philosopher René Descartes, saying, "Divide difficulties." This phrase served as a guiding principle for his administration, emphasizing the importance of breaking down challenges within city governance. Addressing around 70 city executives, he stressed the need for risk management, infrastructure development, and direct dialogue with citizens.
Kamiya articulated his vision for collaboration among city departments, urging organizational leaders to dissect complex issues and work collectively to solve them. "Each organization should unravel various factors related to issues, and when departments intersect, I want to see cooperative organizational structures at play. By taking steady steps to resolve matters, we can surely advance," he called on his team, showcasing his intent to engage everyone involved.
According to the Chiba election administration commission, the voter turnout was 35.70%, significantly lower than the previous election's 45.03%. There were 807,079 eligible voters on the election day, but the counting process faced delays and discrepancies. Voter count irregularities arose during the ballot counting, which extended beyond five and half hours, ending at 5:41 AM on March 17. The commission noted issues such as forgotten seals on ballot box envelopes, which impeded the counting process.
While discussing the election results, Kamiya highlighted the challenges of transportation within the city, stating, "During the election campaign, I received numerous opinions on transportation matters. I intend to engage persistently with operators to maintain service levels and not let convenience deteriorate." Route buses had been increasingly reduced due to labor shortages, making this issue particularly pressing.
Another focus of Kamiya's administration will be the refurbishment of aging public facilities, including the ZOZO Marine Stadium and the citizens' hall. "These renovations are imperative. We aim to systematically explore and present concrete plans after April," he promised, acknowledging previous delays due to rising material and labor costs.
Kamiya's win was particularly notable against two other newcomers, Masaru Terao, who secured 32,383 votes, and Hayato Sugita, with 4,021. His electoral victory not only solidified his status but also his strategic approach to leadership, which he expressed at the press conference following his election, stating, "Our foundation of dialogue and practical approach will guide my administration to protect the region and build the future."
Through the election season, Kamiya remained committed to economic policies aimed at attracting businesses and supporting startups. He underscored the need to create jobs and secure financial resources to improve welfare policies, explaining his vision to balance both sectors as necessary. "We will push for business establishment to generate new employment and secure funding for our welfare policies," he remarked passionately, emphasizing the dual objectives of his administration.
Kamiya also expressed his intention to explore the implementation of a new accommodation tax, believing it would promote tourism and allow Chiba to innovate and refine its unique offerings for visitors. "We need to attract tourists who contribute to the economy and utilize tax revenues to develop Chiba's distinctive attractions," he noted, laying out his broader strategy for bringing the city back to life socially and economically.
Upon the finalization of the election results, Kamiya reflected, "I believe the administrative efforts we have built together with the staff have received certain acknowledgment. I am eager to align our experiences and knowledge with the citizens to forge the future of Chiba City together." This forward-looking sentiment rings hopeful as he gears up to start his second term on March 21, where he aims to tackle the organization's challenges head-on.
With his track record and ambitious vision for the city's future, Junichi Kamiya is poised to make significant strides, ensuring the development of Chiba City harmonizes with the needs of its residents. The road ahead promises challenges and opportunities, but with dialogue and determination at the forefront of his platform, Kamiya is ready to take on the responsibilities of leadership once again.
