A university professor was assured of defeating Shiga Gov. Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu and another challenger Sunday, according to initial returns.
Yukiko Kada, 56, a professor at Kyoto Seika University, will become the nation's fifth female governor after those in Osaka, Kumamoto, Chiba and Hokkaido prefectures.
She was projected to beat Kunimatsu, 68, who was seeking a third term with support from major parties including the Liberal Democratic Party and other organizations.
Also running was labor union leader Yoshinori Tsuji, 59.