A civic group based in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, requested a referendum Friday to recall Mayor Toshiaki Okano for closing a city-run hospital with a serious doctor shortage, breaking his 2006 election pledge.
On Friday morning, the civic group gave the committee a petition with the signatures of about 25,900 eligible voters, exceeding the one-third threshold of 20,229 voters needed to trigger a recall.
Okano was elected in July 2006 on a pledge to continue operating Choshi General Hospital. But the mayor closed the facility in September, citing a dearth of doctors and financial difficulties.
"It may take time to revitalize the city, but I am grateful that we were able to collect almost 26,000 signatures," said Kaoru Mogi, head of the civic group.
Okano said the city was now trying to reopen the facility.
"The city is in a critical phase in its efforts to reopen the hospital, and without me as the mayor, the administration would be put into turmoil," he said after receiving the petition.