NPR

Tokyo Governor Hopes Her New 'Party Of Hope' Will Shake Up Japanese Politics

Yuriko Koike, the best known woman in Japanese politics, started a new party ahead of Sunday's snap election for parliament. But it's having trouble distinguishing itself from the ruling party.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike greets supporters in the rain during a campaign stop in the Shibuya district last Friday.

Japanese voters have just days left to decide who they will support in a snap general election set for Sunday.

Japanese politics are usually tame. But this time around, the charismatic governor of Tokyo is adding unexpected elements to the race.

Yuriko Koike is keeping a nonstop schedule these days — dashing from one campaign event

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