Wataru Aso

Aso, 65, won 27 votes out of a total of 47, beating his contender, Iwate Gov. Hiroya Masuda, 53, who received 19 votes, according to the association. There was one spoiled ballot.

The win marks the first time a governor from the Kyushu region will head the association, which is comprised of governors from the 47 prefectures.

The leadership election garnered wide public attention as the group is embroiled in a battle with the central government over decentralization of power.

After winning the contest, Aso said he would work to boost cooperation with other bodies that bring together local-level administrators, such as the Japan Association of City Mayors, to bring about further decentralization.

As one of his aims, Aso said he would continue urging the central government to hand over ¥3 trillion worth of tax revenue to local governments as the association has demanded.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 26, 2005
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