Advertisement

Tokyo Governor Koike resigns as head of fledgling Japan opposition ‘Party of Hope’

Her ‘Party of Hope’ came a distant third to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling party in a general election last month

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announcing her resignation as leader of the Party of Hope in Tokyo on November 14, 2017. Photo: Kyodo

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, once seen as possibly becoming Japan’s first female prime minister, has stepped down as leader of her party after suffering a crushing election defeat last month, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Koike, 65, announced her decision at a televised meeting of her party legislators, also attended by Yuichiro Tamaki, who was recently elected as Party of Hope co-president.

“I want to leave national political matters to Diet members. I founded the party, but I will step down as representative and support you all in an appropriate manner,” she told the meeting. “I want to leave things to President Tamaki.”

Koike and Tamaki (centre) with other Party of Hope lawmakers and executive members. Photo: AFP
Koike and Tamaki (centre) with other Party of Hope lawmakers and executive members. Photo: AFP

Tamaki expressed hope Koike will continue to be involved in managing the party as an adviser.

Advertisement

Koike told reporters she had finished her “responsibilities as the founder”.

loading
Advertisement