Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike is biding her time in announcing participation in the next gubernatorial election, dashing expectations that she would throw her hat in the ring on Wednesday.
Over 20 candidates, including such notables as Renho and Shinji Ishimaru, have already indicated they will run in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race, with voting set for early July.
Koike, the 71-year-old incumbent just finishing her second term, did not formally announce her intent to run at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly meeting on Wednesday despite indications that she might.