SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Motohiko Saito, the former governor of Japan's Hyogo Prefecture who was ousted over allegations of power abuse, has won back his position.
Saito, 47, defeated his main rival, Kazumi Inamura, 52, the former mayor of Amagasaki city, on Sunday in a race that highlighted deep divisions within the region's political establishment.
The election followed Saito's automatic removal from office in September after a unanimous no-confidence vote by the prefectural assembly.
"I will govern with gratitude and humility in mind," Saito said at his campaign headquarters after securing victory.
The election came amid controversy surrounding Saito's alleged misconduct, including accusations of verbal abuse toward staff and soliciting gifts from local businesses, which emerged after a senior official's apparent suicide in July.
The official had filed a whistleblower complaint before his death, but was suspended for three months following an internal probe that deemed his claims defamatory.
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