Defense minister becomes first female Tokyo Governor

Exit polls show that former Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koike has won Tokyo's gubernatorial election. Among her tasks will be to try to bring some order to preparations for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Koike came out on top of a record field of 21 candidates in Sunday's election to become the successor to former governor Yoichi Masuzoe, according to broadcasters NHK and TV Tokyo.


The election was called after Masuzoe stepped down in June over a financial scandal - the second successive city leader to quit for such reasons.

Koike is a former TV anchorwoman who has served both as defense minister and environment minister. She speaks not only fluent English, but also Arabic, having studied in Cairo.

Speaking after exit polls forecast her win, Koike, 69, said she would lead the city "in an unprecedented manner." She will be the first female governor of the Japanese capital.