Harasawa wins Yokohama mayoral election after predecessor’s harassment resignation

Independent newcomer Atsumi Harasawa (原沢敦美), a 59-year-old lawyer, won Yokohama’s mayoral election on October 18, defeating former mayor Takeharu Yamanaka (山中竹春) and five other candidates. The election followed Yamanaka’s resignation over workplace harassment of city employees. Turnout was 45.56%, up from 41.64% in the 2025 election, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. Asahi Shimbun said Harasawa would become the city’s second female mayor, following Fumiko Hayashi, who served three terms from 2009. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]

Harasawa campaigned on creating an environment where city staff could work safely and restoring citizens’ trust, Mainichi Shimbun reported. She received support from local organisations of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Innovation Party and Democratic Party for the People, and from Komeito’s city assembly group, according to TBS. Asahi said she had moved from working as a Japan Airlines mechanic to becoming a lawyer in her forties. After her projected victory, she said she wanted to begin work immediately on issues including support for older people, childcare and disaster prevention. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]

A third-party investigation in July found workplace harassment by Yamanaka, and he resigned in September after acknowledging the findings and apologising, Asahi reported. He sought a return by pointing to achievements including childcare policies, but said the result reflected citizens’ severe judgment of the harassment issue. Harasawa also ruled out reviving a bid for an integrated resort including a casino. She told reporters after her projected victory that residents still did not want a casino and that she would not pursue one during her term, according to Asahi. [ 1 ]