2020 Kyoto mayoral election

The election was held after the incumbent, Daisaku Kadokawa, term expired.[1] On October 14, 2019, local Kyoto Party representative Shōei Murayama announced his intention to leave the party and run as an independent.[2] On October 17, Kadokawa announced his intention to run for a fourth term.[3] A few weeks later, on November 8, lawyer Kazuto Fukuyama announced his candidacy with the intention of receiving support from the Democratic City Government Association, an organization made up of citizens groups working with opposition parties, labor unions, and the JCP.[4] Hirohiko Terada, a representative of a local volunteer group, also announced his intention to receive support from the group, but ultimately decided against running for office.[5]

All candidates were technically independent, though only one, Shōei Murayama, did not receive any outside support from a political party or organization, claiming to be a "citizens candidate".[6] Incumbent Mayor Kadokawa was backed by a union of opposition and governmental forces, including the LDP, CDP, Komeito, the DPP, and the SDP.[6] Meanwhile, Fukuyama was backed by newly founded party Reiwa Shinsengumi and the JCP.[6] Nippon Ishin no Kai had originally planned, in 2016, to field Murayama as a candidate, but Murayama fell through with the party. Initially planning to run its own candidate, the party faced difficulty in finding a candidate, eventually letting supporters independently vote for their own candidate.[6]

Three candidates qualified, two of which were backed by national parties.