At the end of February, Governor of Hokkaido, Miyashita Hidekatsu, announced his resignation to prepare for next year's senate election.
Local chief officials cannot simultaneously serve as legislators, so with the election imminent, his resignation was reasonable.
Hokkaido immediately organized a by-election for the governor, and on March 3rd, Aoyama Xiu Xin, who had disappeared from the public eye shortly after stepping down, announced his candidacy for the position.
Once the news broke, the citizens of Hokkaido went completely mad, parading through the streets with cheers and celebrations.
They remembered the contributions Aoyama Xiu Xin had made to Hokkaido's public safety when he was there, and now that he was running for the position of governor, he would have the authority to improve their living conditions beyond just enhancing safety.
