At a general council meeting on July 11, the Yokohama chapter of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided to opt for a free vote in the Yokohama mayoral election to be held with the upcoming expiration of the incumbent’s term of office. The official campaigning for the mayoral race will start on Aug. 8, and voting will take place on Aug. 22. In the race, the chapter will not back LDP member Okonogi Hachiro, 56, a former chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission and Lower House member representing the Kanagawa third district. It is believed that some city assembly members will support incumbent Mayor Hayashi Fumiko, 75, who has decided to run for a fourth term, leading to the prospect of a “split election” for the LDP. (Abridged)