Opposition party lawmaker Renho has revealed her intention to run as an independent in the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July, saying she has a strong will to fight against incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike and ¡°reset Koike¡¯s metropolitan governance.¡±

¡°I would like to approach this Tokyo gubernatorial election with the stance of anti-Liberal Democratic Party politics and non-Koike metropolitan government administration,¡± she said at a news conference Monday. ¡°I will create a metropolitan government that overcomes old politics and directs the budget to policies that are truly necessary.¡±

If Koike, 71, formally throws her hat into the ring ¡ª she is expected to announce her candidacy for a third four-year term as early as Wednesday ¡ª the gubernatorial election will be a closely watched and competitive battle between two high-profile female politicians.