One day after her resounding victory in the Tokyo gubernatorial race, Yuriko Koike was surprisingly calm, responding deftly to a deluge of questions from reporters with her telegenic smile.

"The result was much better than I thought," a relaxed Koike told reporters at her office in Toshima Ward on Monday morning.

"I've fought this battle with no organizational backup and I'm moved to see just how each single vote could evolve into a big movement," she said.