Candidates took to the streets calling for support Thursday as campaigning for the April 8 gubernatorial elections officially kicked off in Tokyo and 12 other prefectures.</PARAGRAPH>
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<TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara –
addresses supporters Thursday morning in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, as he opens his campaign for re-election in the April 8 poll, while former Miyagi Gov. Shiro Asano, considered his main contender, waves as he appears before voters in front of the metro government building in Shinjuku.
KYODO, SATOKO KAWASAKI PHOTOS
The elections will be the first nationwide electoral challenge to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling bloc since he took office last September and are viewed as a prelude to the House of Councilors election in July.
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