Several Democratic Party of Japan politicians have either announced plans to run in gubernatorial or mayoral elections or are contemplating doing so ahead of nationwide unified local elections scheduled for April.
The moves apparently reflect declining support for the largest opposition party and lingering discord among party lawmakers, and will undoubtedly be a cause for concern among DPJ leaders as they try to secure viable candidates for the next Lower House election.
Shigefumi Matsuzawa, a Lower Hosue member elected from the Kanagawa No. 9 district, unveiled Wednesday his bid for the governorship of Kanagawa Prefecture on April 13.