Sunday, April 10, 2011

Japan celebrates local elections after devastating earthquake

- The Japanese are called to the polls today to elect 12 governors, of the 47 provinces, four mayors and the composition of various regional assemblies in an election conditioned by the earthquake of 11 March. The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition party, the Liberal Democratic Party, compete in elections for governor of Hokkaido, Tokyo and Mie, and to elect mayor in Sapporo and Hiroshima.

The elections, which are seen as the first review of the performance of the Japanese government following the devastating 9.0 Richter scale earthquake and tsunami of March 11, began at 07:00 local time and end at 20:00 hours (11 : 00 GMT). Several candidates have focused their campaigns on earthquake safety and the problem of nuclear energy, as well as the relations between central and local governments.

Vote counting will begin soon after polling stations closed at 20:00, said television channel NHK World. Authorities said the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 11 March killed more than 14,000 dead and others missing remains 10,000.

1 comment:

  1. The only questions you need ask your governments to end the nightmare for good are here:
    http://crisismaven.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/how-i-brought-down-the-nuclear-industry-in-my-country-and-how-you-can-do-it-in-yours/
    ... let's hope they voted wisely ...

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