Ryusei Takahashi gives us a run down on Yuriko Koike’s victory, as well as the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in the capital. Hosted by Oscar Boyd.

It’s an unspoken assumption that Koike has her sights set on one day returning to the Diet and becoming the country’s first female prime minister.

The governor’s re-election is a tacit sign that a majority of voters in Tokyo trust Koike to continue her battle against the novel coronavirus.

The capital is conducting group PCR tests in host and hostess bars, maid cafes and nightclubs in an attempt to pre-emptively contain cluster infections.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga again said that the central government is not considering declaring a state of emergency.

The new approach will continue to reference case numbers but will shift the emphasis to the city’s health care system.

It appears the incumbent’s strategy — taking advantage of her popularity by running a defensive campaign — is working.

Distinguishing first waves from second waves is no easy task, and discerning the progression of outbreaks might only be possible in retrospect.

Experts have warned that reopening society prematurely or abruptly could invite a second wave of novel coronavirus infections.

Some believe support from the marginalized voices that christened Koike's first victory may no longer be present during the upcoming vote.