Tokyoites go to the polls Sunday to elect a governor to replace Naoki Inose, who quit his post in December amid a political funding scandal. The main candidates are ex-health minister Yoichi Masuzoe, ex-Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa, lawyer Kenji Utsunomiya and former Self-Defense Forces chief Toshio Tamogami.

Annemarie Luck

Deputy editor, 35 (South African)

The nuclear issue should definitely be part of the election; it has the potential to affect the future of everyone in Japan. Other factors should come into play too, so I¡¯d like to see Utsunomiya win, as he is anti-nuclear but also focuses on broader issues.

Tai Yomo

Publishing sales, 42 (Japanese)

I do think the nuclear issue should be part of the discussions. The Fukushima No. 1 plant was run by Tepco ¡ª and it was Tokyo consumers who used electricity from it, after all. I follow politics and care about the country but I haven¡¯t decided who to vote for yet.

Natsu Ozawa

Musician, 30 (Japanese)

I think the nuclear issue should indeed be part of the focus of the Tokyo election. We need to achieve a nuclear-free society democratically and without losing out financially in the process. For me, the only viable candidate is Kenji Utsunomiya!

Yoshie Kawada

Student, 20 (Japanese)

I don¡¯t think nuclear power should play a role, because in reality the issues will never be solved. As for who should win, either Masuzoe, being an ex-lawmaker, or Tamogami, a former SDF head, know enough to do the job. I think Masuzoe will win.

Daish Malani

Game designer, 35 (Australian)

Although Tokyo is not responsible for nuclear issues, it is heavily affected by them, so it should be a factor. Utsunomiya seems to stand for the underdogs, wants to help victims of the 2011 quake and hopes to abolish the nuclear system, so I¡¯d back him.

Akira Kato

Electrical engineer, 65 (Japanese)

I don¡¯t think the nuclear issue should feature as part of the debate surrounding the upcoming election, and while there¡¯s no particular candidate I support at the moment, I presume that Masuzoe, the former Diet member, will win.

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