The 2017 Yamagata Gubernatorial Election was a gubernatorial election that was called in Yamagata Prefecture for 22 January 2017.[1]Mieko Yoshimura, governor since 2009, ran for a third term. Her Prefectural Citizen's Party alliance was supported by the Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Communist Party.[2] Because no other candidates entered the race, Yoshimura was declared the winner without a vote. Having similarly been declared winner by acclamation in 2013, this became only the third time in Japanese history that a governor was elected twice without holding a vote.[3]
^"2017 Governor's election notification Ms. Yoshimura feels responsible 3 selections without consecutive votes Challenges piled up, focus on relations with the LDP". Mainichi Shimbun. 6 January 2017. (in Japanese)