2026 Japanese local elections


In 2026, numerous local elections are scheduled to be held in Japan outside the unified local elections in 2023 and 2027, including 13 gubernatorial elections and other local elections, due to term expiry.

Gubernatorial

At least 13 gubernatorial elections are scheduled to be held in 2026.

Fukui Prefecture

The 2026 Fukui gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 25 January 2026.

Background

Incumbent Tatsuji Sugimoto stepped down from office on 4 December 2025 following allegations of sexual harassing staff using texts.

Yamaguchi Prefecture

The 2026 Yamaguchi gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 8 February 2026.

Nagasaki Prefecture

The 2026 Nagasaki gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 8 February 2026.

Osaka Prefecture

The 2026 Osaka gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 8 February 2026. Incumbent governor Hirofumi Yoshimura resigned on 22 January 2025.

Ishikawa Prefecture

The 2026 Ishikawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 8 March 2026.

Kyoto Prefecture

The 2026 Kyoto gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 5 April 2026.

Niigata Prefecture

The 2026 Niigata gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 31 May 2026.

Shiga Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Shiga gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 24 July 2026.

Nagano Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Nagano gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 31 August 2026.

Kagawa Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Kagawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 4 September 2026.

Okinawa Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Okinawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 29 September 2026.

Fukushima Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Fukushima gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 11 November 2026.

Aichi Prefecture

If not set earlier, the 2026 Aichi gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held on 30 November 2026.

Mayoral

January

Legend:
  • - Re-elected
  • - Newcomer

February

Legend:
  • - Re-elected
  • - Newcomer
DateCity/Town/VillagePrefectureResult
1 FebruaryTakahagiIbaraki PrefectureNatsunori Obe
1 FebruaryKawaguchiSaitama PrefectureYuriko Okamura
1 FebruaryGifuGifu PrefectureMasanao Shibahashi
1 FebruaryKinokawaWakayama PrefectureKen Kishimoto
1 FebruaryAridagawaWakayama PrefectureSakato Tokuhiko
1 FebruaryHigashihiroshimaHiroshima PrefectureHironori Takagaki
1 FebruaryItoshimaFukuoka PrefectureYuji Tsukigata
1 FebruaryShibushiKagoshima PrefectureShimodaira Haruyuki
1 FebruaryOdaiMie PrefectureHiromi Uese
1 FebruaryMisatoMiyazaki PrefectureNagao Taku
1 FebruaryOtakiNagano PrefectureMichihiro Koshihara
8 FebruaryOsakaOsaka Prefecture
8 FebruarySosaChiba Prefecture
8 FebruaryNamerikawaToyama PrefectureTatsuo Mizuno
8 FebruaryEchizenFukui PrefectureToru Hirabayashi
8 FebruaryNagahamaShiga Prefecture
8 FebruaryTsuyamaOkayama Prefecture
8 FebruaryMinamataKumamoto Prefecture
8 FebruaryRifuMiyagi Prefecture
8 FebruarySakaiIbaraki Prefecture
8 FebruaryTokigawaSaitama Prefecture
8 FebruaryOnoGifu Prefecture
8 FebruaryWakasaTottori Prefecture
8 FebruaryHinoTottori Prefecture
8 FebruaryYomitanOkinawa Prefecture
15 FebruaryRumoiHokkaido Prefecture
15 FebruaryYotsukaidoChiba Prefecture
15 FebruaryMachidaTokyo Metropolis
15 FebruaryRokkashoAomori Prefecture
15 FebruaryUmiFukuoka Prefecture
22 FebruaryYukuhashiFukuoka Prefecture
22 FebruaryKomakiAichi Prefecture
22 FebruaryKamoenaiHokkaido Prefecture
22 FebruaryAmiIbaraki Prefecture
22 FebruaryEiheijiFukui Prefecture
22 FebruaryAishoShiga Prefecture
22 FebruaryNankanKumamoto Prefecture

March

Legend:
  • - Re-elected
  • - Newcomer