Some politicians in Tokyo planning to run in the general election next month are seeking the backing of Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara in an attempt to ride on the popularity the governor maintains among unaffiliated voters.
The outspoken governor, known to enjoy strong support despite, or perhaps due to, his frequent nationalistic and xenophobic remarks, has suddenly found himself the center of attention among Tokyo-based politicians.
Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member Isshu Sugawara of the Liberal Democratic Party, who plans to file his candidacy for the Tokyo No. 9 constituency, was one of the first to appear in a street poster shaking hands and smiling with Ishihara.