Tokyo's New Mayor

Yesterday's election had a poor turnout, possibly due to an unusually heavy snowstorm. The voters who did turn out in spite of the snow and ice elected former health minister Yoichi Masusoe. There is a lot of love being shown to a candidate whose priority is the health and welfare of the people.

The 25 cm of (not quite knee deep) snow surely influenced voter turnout, but it also needs to be said that votes can be cast at government offices during the week before the official election day.

It may be more reasonable to assume that voters understand that "big posture" issues like ridding Japan of nuclear power generation may be important, even desirable, but nuclear power plants are not an issue that Tokyo has any control over. They are in the national government's domain. Whether or not Grandma gets home nursing and whether or not your child finds a place in day care--these ARE issues that fall within the Tokyo mayor's mandate.

The people who did turn out to vote on Sunday showed that they understand politics a lot better than some of the professionals.