," said Higashi, 49, an apprentice of comedian Beat Takeshi, after learning he had won. "We must change Miyazaki together."
Higashi, 49, whose real name is Hideo Higashikokubaru, apparently attracted voters by shedding his image as a comedian and receiving no backing by any political party.
He defeated four other candidates, including a former government official supported by the ruling coalition.
Voters appeared ready to choose a candidate with no political strings attached, following the recent rash of arrests of governors over bid-rigging and revelations of funding scandals involving key players in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration.
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