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Japan Weightlifting Federation President elected Governor of Tokyo

Japanese Weightlifting Federation President Yuriko Koike has been elected the first female Governor of Tokyo today.

Koike, who has previously served as Japan’s first female Defence Minister, beat Liberal Democratic Party candidate Hiroya Masuda and journalist Shuntaro Torigue.

Koike, 64, will now play a key role in orchestrating preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I would like to implement new policies that no one has ever seen,” she said when on the cusp of victory.

One of her first duties will be to receive the Olympic flag from Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes at the Closing Ceremony here on August 21.

Koike said she hopes to use the Olympics “as a chance to build for a new Tokyo beyond 2020”.