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Sapporo mayor Akimoto to step down, race opens up

Original: Sapporo's mayoral race is taking shape after Katsuhiro Akimoto announced he will not seek a fourth term next spring, wit

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto has announced he will not seek a fourth term in next spring's election, opening up the race to lead Japan's fifth-largest city. Key campaign issues are emerging, including the city's role in a possible Winter Olympics bid and policies toward Sapporo's growing foreign population. Potential successors are beginning to position themselves.

Why now: The retirement of a long-serving mayor ahead of a major election reshapes local politics and raises questions about Sapporo's Olympic ambitions.

Katsuhiro AkimotoSapporoJapanWinter Olympics

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• Sapporo's mayoral race is taking shape after Katsuhiro Akimoto announced he will not seek a fourth term next spring, with the Olympics and the city's foreign population as key issues. https://www. japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/… · thejapantimes · 2

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