Embattled Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito announced Thursday he will seek reelection after he automatically loses his seat on Monday following the prefectural assembly’s historic no-confidence vote last week.
The decision puts an end to months of stalled prefectural governance due to the allegations against the incumbent governor. An election to choose the new governor will be held in 50 days, a poll through which the 46-year-old hopes to return to his post.
At a packed news conference Thursday afternoon, Saito said dissolving the assembly or resigning was not on the table for him, and that he hopes to seek a fresh mandate from the prefecture’s residents in the upcoming election.
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