As the Tokyo gubernatorial election kicked off Thursday, voters said they were looking for a clean, corruption-free governor after the last two — Naoki Inose and Yoichi Masuzoe — resigned over money scandals.

Asuka Hatano, a mother in her 30s with a 2-year-old daughter, said she had not decided who to vote for on July 31 but might vote for the candidate most likely to have "the least risk."

"Whether famous or not ... I want to look closely at what the candidates have done in the past and decide," the Minato Ward resident said.

Former health minister Masuzoe quit last month after being accused of using millions of yen in political funds for private purposes. His predecessor, Inose, resigned in December 2013 after being grilled over ¥50 million in funds he received from a hospital group to bolster his campaign for the 2012 election.

Another Minato Ward mother, Yuko Horne, 40, said she was undecided but might vote for a newcomer to politics.

"After a number of scandals, I now wonder if a lot of experienced politicians could be tainted with money issues," she said. Caring for a 2-year-old son and with a second child on the way, Horne said her main concern is child care policies.

Kazue Ishikawa, a temp worker in her 50s from Arakawa Ward, said she will vote for Hiroya Masuda, a former internal affairs minister backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, because she is disappointed by the opposition camp's "lack of planning" in choosing a candidate.

On Tuesday, a unified opposition force comprising the Democratic Party, Japanese Communist Party, Social Democratic Party and Seikatsu no To (People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends) decided to endorse veteran journalist Shuntaro Torigoe for governor.

Before that, the opposition had sounded out several candidates that made headlines, including former trade bureaucrat Shigeaki Koga and veteran lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya, who finished second in the previous election in 2014 after Masuzoe. But both dropped out after Torigoe announced his candidacy.

Voters on the streets seemed to have high hopes for a former defense minister and national security adviser Yuriko Koike to become Tokyo's first female governor.

A 50-year-old office worker in Koto Ward who identified himself only as Suzuki said the former LDP politician, who is running as an independent, could bring a fresh start for Tokyo.

"I think it's about time Tokyo welcomed a female governor, and since Hillary Clinton is likely to become the U.S. president, I'd like to see the two working together," he said, adding that "Masuda is too depressing, and Torigoe is way too old."

A 69-year-old man from Shinagawa Ward, who only gave his surname, Oguri, said he would vote for Koike and believes she can be "Tokyo's Joan of Arc."

"Watching news programs on TV, Koike was the only candidate who left a good impression on me," he said, adding that the others seemed untrustworthy.

He said Masuzoe's resignation was inevitable because he mixed his public life with his private life. Now he wants a new, stronger leader who can bring good not only to Tokyo, but also to other prefectures and cities as governor of the nation's capital, Oguri said.

A man from Sumida Ward, who only gave his family name, Iwanami, said he was disappointed by the opposition camp's critical attitude.

"The opposition party usually heckles the governing party, saying 'I'm against Abe's politics.' I think it's very unnecessary," the 68-year-old man said, adding that he would vote for Koike.

For many Tokyo voters, the gubernatorial election is a chance to do away with political scandals and pick a governor who will get the job done.

A male employee in his late 20s from Machida in western Tokyo said he wanted a new governor to be someone who can make a "noticeable achievement," because he believes Masuzoe failed to do so.

"Whoever it may be, I want our governor to be able to get the job done without confusion," he said.