The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, viewed as a litmus test for the course of national politics, will be held on July 4, the capital's election board said Wednesday.

The election will take place ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, due to begin July 23 after being delayed for one year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Official campaigning for the election, in which 127 seats are up for grabs, will kick off on June 25, according to the board.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election was decided to be held on July 4, with attention focused on whether the ruling Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) launched by Gov. Yuriko Koike can maintain its grip on power. | KYODO
The Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election was decided to be held on July 4, with attention focused on whether the ruling Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) launched by Gov. Yuriko Koike can maintain its grip on power. | KYODO