Yokohama Mayor Hiroshi Nakada annouced July 28 that he will step down soon, before his second term ends next spring.

But Nakada, a 44-year-old former House of Representatives member, said that he does not plan to run in the Aug. 30 Lower House election.

At a news conference July 28, Nakada said he will seek to launch a political group around the fall and consider when to run in a national election in the future.

The mayor told a meeting of his supporters July 26 that he will not contest the next Yokohama mayoral election, which had been due to take place in the spring of 2010.

As reasons for not seeking a third term as mayor, he cited his achievements in office, including handling events related to the 150th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama port to foreign ships this year, the sources said.

Because of his resignation, a Yokohama mayoral election is likely to be held on the same day as the general election, Aug. 30.