On March 16, 2025, Junji Kumagai was re-elected as the Governor of Chiba Prefecture, successfully overcoming three independent challengers, including Masayuki Komura, who was supported by the Japanese Communist Party. With backing from five political organizations, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), Kumagai’s support base proved instrumental to his victory.
At 47 years old, Kumagai secured the election with 1,404,905 votes, which demonstrated both his popularity and the effectiveness of his campaign strategies over the past four years. The voter turnout for this election was recorded at 31.93 percent, marking a notable decline of 7.06 percentage points from the last election, indicating possible voter apathy or disillusionment.
Kumagai emphasized his previous term's accomplishments as part of his platform, showcasing his governance as evidence of his capability to lead and implement effective policies. He presented what he called the “Prefectural Administration Vision,” outlining eight key areas of focus including disaster prevention, crime management, enhancements to economic activity, and improvements to education and childcare services. This campaign narrative served to reinforce his position as the experienced candidate capable of steering Chiba through future challenges.
The election was characterized by the presence of three other candidates, including Komura—a former member of the National Diet—who aimed to leverage his political experience to unseat the incumbent. At 72 years old, Komura campaigned on platform points such as the reversal of the recent 20 percent increase in public water utility fees. His efforts aimed to resonate particularly with voters from urban areas reliant on the municipal water supply.
Atsuhiko Kurokawa, 46, representing the political group “Tsubasa no To,” and Takashi Tachibana, 57, leading the “NHK kara Kokumin wo Mamoru To,” also entered the race. They each attempted to carve out unique niches as candidates. Kurokawa engaged voters with street speeches and on-site visits, leveraging grassroots appeal, whereas Tachibana’s campaign fell short of momentum, focusing on issues external to Chiba itself after receiving attention for rallying outside of the jurisdiction.
Despite the variety of candidates and political views represented, the election did not garner the intense public engagement often seen during larger electoral contests. Observers commented on the stable climate of Kumagai’s re-election campaign, describing it as more of a referendum on his administration than a competitive electoral race. The outcome echoed sentiments of confidence among his supporters about the continuity of leadership and governance.
When the results were announced, Kumagai expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating: "I would like to continue to move forward to realize governance to protect the lives and livelihoods of the residents, based on the trust of the citizens." His focus moving forward will likely encompass the same themes he campaigned on, with attention to enhancing public safety and building economic resilience.
Komura’s campaign, which prominently featured commitments to restore agricultural sectors and improve disaster preparedness for urban living, was unable to translate potential voter discontent with existing policies—specifically related to water tariffs—into enough support for victory. The lower voter turnout illustrated potential challenges faced by all candidates, highlighting the complex relationship voters have with local governance issues.
With Chiba facing both challenges and opportunities, Kumagai’s re-election may signal continuity as well as the unchanging dynamics of political engagement as the prefecture navigates pressing issues. How these developments will shape policy and community responses will be closely observed by various stakeholders now more than ever.