Mieko Yoshimura

2009 Election

Yoshimura ran as an independent. She received the support of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and various Upper House members from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This race was seen as an early indicator of the strength of the two main parties in Japan before the 2009 Japanese general election. Yoshimura's rival, Governor Hiroshi Saito, was supported by both the New Komeito Party and the majority of the LDP.