2022 Nagasaki gubernatorial election
The 2022 Nagasaki gubernatorial election was a gubernatorial election held on 20 February 2022 to elect the next governor of , a prefecture of Japan in the north-west of Kyushu. Three-term incumbent Hōdō Nakamura ran for re-election for a fourth four-year term, announcing his intentions on the final session of the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly for 2021 on 21 December. Whether he would run was the subject of speculation and confusion, as he had made comments in late 2021 suggesting that he would not run and instead "pass the baton to the next leader". Nakamura had attempted to recruit a successor; but decided to run himself after those efforts fell through. LDP Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly Secretary-General  offered to run as a successor, but reportedly had policy disagreements with Nakamura, and decided not to run with Nakamura running. Nakaumura faced medical doctor Kengo Oishi and businessman Yoshihiko Miyazawa. After previously endorsing Nakamura in 2010, 2014, and 2018, the prefectural Liberal Democratic Party federation instead voted to endorse the political newcomer Oishi in this election, due to dissatisfaction in Nakamura's governing. This caused a split in support amongst local LDP politicians, with two Nagasaki LDP Diet members and nearly half of the LDP's prefectural assembly members supporting Nakamura despite the federation's endorsement of Oishi. Oishi narrowly defeated Nakamura by a margin of 541 votes (0.10%). He took office on 2 March. At 39 years old, Oishi became the youngest governor in Japan. Candidates 

Hōdō Nakamura, 71, incumbent since 2010, endorsed by half of prefectural assembly members of the LDP, the CDP and DPFP. , 39 year-old medical doctor, former Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare medical official, endorsed by the Ishin and the LDP’s prefectural chapter. Yoshihiko Miyazawa, 54 year-old business executive, endorsed by JCP. Withdrew candidacy
Hirohiko Terada, 60 year-old civic group representative
Ryuji Tanaka, 78 year-old former Kobe University assistant professor

Issues 

Issues in the election included COVID-19-related policies amidst the pandemic, extending the then-upcoming Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen through Saga Prefecture, construction of the , and a potential integrated resort facility in the prefecture. Endorsements

Results

References 

2022 elections in Japan
Nagasaki gubernatorial elections
February 2022 events in Japan