OSAKA -- In an election marked by extreme voter apathy, Fusae Ohta was re-elected Sunday to a second term as Osaka governor by a huge majority.

Voter turnout was 40.49 percent, the lowest ever recorded, disappointing many, including Ohta. In the 2000 gubernatorial election, 44.58 percent went to the polls.

Ohta garnered 1,558,626 votes, more than twice that of her closest challenger, Takenori Emoto, who received 670,717 votes, according to the local election administration board.