New Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose vowed Tuesday not only to continue the policies of his predecessor, Shintaro Ishihara, but also to let a fresh breeze into his office, including by increasing the use of social-networking services for sending out information to the public.
The 66-year-old former vice governor was greeted by about 1,000 metropolitan officials when he arrived for work for the first time since he was elected to the top job Sunday.
Inose served as vice governor for five years and five months under Ishihara, who endorsed him as his successor when he abruptly resigned in October to run for a Diet seat. With backing from Ishihara's Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, Inose beat eight opponents, gaining an unprecedented 4 million-plus votes.