The city of Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture will be changing its name to Tamba-Sasayama as early as next May following what city officials described as the country's first referendum on changing a municipality's name.
Sunday's referendum passed with a margin of 3,128, with 13,646 voting in favor. Many municipal assembly members said they would accept the referendum's result, securing the name change.
The voter turnout rate stood at 69.79 percent, exceeding the minimum 50 percent threshold designated by the city to open the ballot box.