Former Tokyo Vice Gov. Naoki Inose is leading in the race for the Dec. 16 Tokyo gubernatorial election, according to a telephone survey.

Gubernatorial candidates traditionally run as independents under the supposition that they are in the service of the city's voters. But they don't refuse endorsements from political parties when they receive them.

Support for Inose, 66, who was named by former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara as his successor, stands at 60 to 70 percent among those who back the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party).