Masaaki Osawa won a third term as governor of Gunma Prefecture on Sunday, beating a former junior high school teacher.

Osawa, 69, who ran as an independent but was backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, had the support of more than 70 percent of the Gunma Prefectural Assembly, including independents.

Osawa campaigned on his achievements over his previous two four-year terms, including the successful push to get the Tomioka Silk Mill listed as a World Heritage site.

His challenger, Sadao Hagiwara, 66, likewise ran as an independent but was supported by the Japanese Communist Party. He pledged to expand welfare services, including nursing facilities for the elderly, and provide free meals in elementary and junior high schools.