In the Oshu City mayoral election held on the 8th, Hiroshi Gokon, a newcomer and former prefectural assembly member, secured his first victory against the incumbent mayor Jun Kuranari, who had aimed for re-election. Gokon, who is well-known as a close aide to Ichiro Ozawa, comes from the area that resonates with Ozawa's political legacy. The election highlighted the contentious issue of the proposed construction of a new medical center at Mizusawa Park, which Gokon vehemently opposed, pledging to halt the project and ensure that local healthcare providers and residents could agree on the future plan.

Gokon's political career began with his election to the former Mizusawa City Council, and he has been closely associated with Ozawa since then. Despite Ozawa's exclusion from the Democratic Party in 2012, Gokon remained active in political initiatives alongside him. Prior to announcing his candidacy for the mayoral election, he distanced himself from the Constitutional Democratic Party in December of the previous year and campaigned without party endorsement or support. This independent approach, coupled with strong local ties, resonated with voters in Oshu.

On the other hand, incumbent Kuranari, who was aiming for his fourth term following a decisive victory in the prior mayoral election, argued for the necessity of following through with established plans to rebuild the city hospital and develop the new medical center. The election attracted a voter turnout of 91,249, reflecting significant public interest in the local governance issue, particularly concerning healthcare services.