Opposition-backed newcomer Mieko Yoshimura defeated Yamagata Gov. Hiroshi Saito in his re-election bid Sunday in an effective faceoff between the ruling and opposition parties, dealing a blow to struggling Prime Minister Taro Aso.
Yoshimura's win in the close race is expected to give the Democratic Party of Japan a boost ahead of the next House of Representatives election, which must be held by the fall. Yamagata Prefecture has been a stronghold of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Aso, suffering from falling support ratings, is likely to face additional difficulties staying in control of the government and may be forced to revamp his Lower House election strategy, although his party ruled out any impact on national politics from the results of the Yamagata election.
"People's strong opposition to the ruling parties, which have been in turmoil over the cash handout program and the consumption tax hike, led to the victory of Ms. Yoshimura," DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said Monday. "Prime Minister Taro Aso should take this election outcome gravely and change his policy."
Yoshimura, 57, is an administrative scrivener.