Former Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koike became the first female governor of Tokyo following her decisive victory by a wide margin on Sunday, local media reported.
The voter turnout reached 59.73 percent, nearly 14 percent higher than in 2014, with Koike securing the votes of 2.91 million voters, NHK broadcaster reported.
A total of 21 contenders were striving for an opportunity to lead the capital and a number of other cities in the prefecture. Koike as well as former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Hiroya Masuda and journalist Shuntaro Torigoe were among the front-runners.
The Tokyo elections were called after previous governor Yoichi Masuzoe resigned amid a financial scandal concerning the alleged use of public funds for private holidays and gifts.