(Update) Ex-Hyogo Governor Saito Certain to Be Re-Elected

   Kobe, Nov. 17 (Jiji Press)--Former Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito is certain to be re-elected in a vote on Sunday after he was effectively ousted from the post over his alleged power harassment.
   Saito, 47, now faces the challenges of recovering public trust in the Hyogo prefectural government and restoring relations with the assembly, which once removed him from the post.
   "I will take criticism seriously, restart relations with prefectural government officials and move forward with policies," Saito told reporters.
   In September, Saito opted to lose his post as governor and run in a fresh election without taking action to counter a no-confidence motion that the prefectural assembly passed against him.
   In the absence of support from political parties, Saito focused his campaign on the internet, pledging continued reforms and increased support for young people.

(2024/11/18-00:42)