On March 16, 2025, Toshihito Kumagai, the 47-year-old incumbent governor of Chiba Prefecture, secured reelection by decisively winning against three new candidates, including 72-year-old Masayuki Komukai, supported by the Communist Party, as well as Hironari Kurokawa and Hironobu Tachibana. The election recorded a voter turnout of 31.93%, marking a decline of 7.06 percentage points from the previous election.
Kumagai's victory was confirmed after he garnered 1,307,054 votes. His lead was substantial, with Komukai trailing at 125,578 votes, Tachibana at 69,387, and Kurokawa at 9,555, as reported with 92% of ballots counted. Throughout his campaign, Kumagai focused on his accomplishments during his first term, such as successfully attracting new businesses and managing disaster responses related to heavy rainfall.
The election was particularly noteworthy for its competitive nature, as Kumagai received endorsements not just from the local chapters of various parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), but also from the Democratic Party for the People and Komeito. This broad coalition helped him present himself as the candidate favored by multiple political factions, enhancing his appeal across party lines.
Kumagai's platform included pressing issues such as the proposed 20% increase in prefectural water rates, which Komukai positioned as central to his campaign. Komukai advocated for halting the planned price hike, labeling the election as a referendum on this contentious topic. Despite this approach, he failed to gain considerable traction among the electorate.
Another candidate, Hironari Kurokawa of the political group 'Tsubasa no To', attempted to capitalize on broader issues but also fell short, with minimal support from voters. Similarly, Hironobu Tachibana, representing 'NHK kara Kokumin wo Mamoru To', faced challenges, largely focusing his campaign efforts outside Chiba, particularly in Hyogo Prefecture.
Reports noted unusual developments during the election period, including complaints directed at Tachibana’s street speeches conducted outside the prefecture, prompting Chiba's election management to receive over 10 grievances per day. Amidst these political maneuvers, Tachibana was also attacked and injured during a public event, drawing media attention to the campaign's intensity.
Upon the confirmation of his reelection, Kumagai expressed gratitude to his supporters and highlighted key upcoming projects for his next term. He stated, "The next term will see the full opening of the Ken-o Expressway (Chiba section) and the realization of the large-scale expansion project at Narita Airport," emphasizing his commitment to enhancing Chiba’s infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Overall, Kumagai's strategy of showcasing previous accomplishments and appealing to various political factions paid off. His approach of emphasizing cooperation with local municipalities for disaster response and infrastructure improvement resonates well with many voters, as reflected by his successful campaign.
The outcome of the election signals continued support for Kumagai’s governance style, which blends pragmatism with local community engagement. His leadership will undoubtedly face challenges, particularly concerning disaster preparedness and infrastructure development, as residents remain engaged with these pressing issues.