Japan (Kitakyushu): This city, literally translating as "North Kyushu" and awaiting its first new mayor since 2007, is, like Aichi, industrial. They have different industries, however; its most well-known export may be high-tech toilets. Its politics are not too odd for Kyushu. At one point, it looked as if three LDP (Conservative)-linked candidates would run, although ultimately only two stood, likely frontrunners Yosuke Tsumori (Ind, *) and Kazuhisa Takeuchi (Ind, *). There's also Hiroaki Shimizu (Ind, *) and JCP (Left)-backed Koichi Nagata (Ind, *).

Japan (Aichi): Aichi is famous for car production, and fittingly, the last few years of its local politics have been something of a combustion engine. However, that engine is refusing to start for this election, as incumbent Hideaki Omura (Ind, *) looks to cruise to victory. Omura is backed by LDP (Conservative), CDP (Centre-left), DPP (Centre-right), and Komei (Centre-right), although the former three opposed him in 2011. His chief opponent is Keiko Ogata (Ind, *), from Japan's tiny green party but backed by JCP (Left) and SDP (Centre-left).

Japan (Yamanashi): Voters on Sunday elected incumbent governor Kotaro Nagasaki (Ind, *|Conservative|Centre-right) to a second term. The 2019 race, when he defeated previous incumbent Hitoshi Goto (Ind, *|Centre-left|Centre-right) was closer, but this was not a 90-10 contest. This election saw a split in the conservative camp. Nagasaki had the official backing of the LDP (Conservative) and Komei (Centre-right), but his main opponent, prefectural assemblymember Naoki Shimura, was also LDP before the election and was supported by many local LDP figures.

Japan (Miyazaki): Today's gubernatorial race in Miyazaki is unexpectedly too close to call, with NHK exit polls showing a statistical dead heat between incumbent Shunji Kono (Ind, *) and his main opponent, former governor Hideo Higashikokubaru (Ind, *). Higashikokubaru, a former comedian most famous for his role in cult TV show Takeshi's Castle, was governor from 2007 to 2011; although he ran alone in 2007, he ran for national office in 2012 with the precursor party to Ishin (Libertarian). He was succeeded by Kono, his deputy.

Japan (Ibaraki): Six prefectures hold their assembly elections separately from the unified local election calendar: national battlegrounds Tokyo and Okinawa; the three prefectures most affected by the 11 March disaster; and, perhaps oddly, Ibaraki in exurban Kanto. The election is unlikely to impact prefectural politics directly. The local ruling parties, LDP (Conservative), Komei (Centre-right), and DPP (Centre-right), hold 50 of a possible 62 seats; 44 of those are held by the LDP alone, and local intra-LDP tensions have recently eased.

Japan (Wakayama): Wakayama's first new governor in 16 years will be appointed today, in an election almost certain to result in a paradox: politicking centred around two local LDP (Conservative) power-brokers resulting in an opposition MP being elected governor. Wakayama, infamous in some countries for whaling, has deeply 'traditional' politics. Former LDP secretary-general Toshihiro Nikai and former economy minister Hiroshige Seko both have their Diet seats in the prefecture and each has a large local political structure loyal to him.

Japan (Ehime): Unlike the relatively dramatic Fukuoka mayoral, the race to be governor of this Shikoku prefecture is set to be very sedate - although not as sedate as the election for the mayor of its capital, decided earlier this week without a vote being conducted. Ehime has not had a competitive gubernatorial election since 1999, and the last truly close race here was in 1971. There are already signs that three-term incumbent Tokihiro Nakamura (Ind, *) will not be responsible for bucking that trend.

Japan (Fukuoka City): Voters head to the polls today in Japan's sixth-largest city. This part of the country is usually classic LDP (Conservative) country, but the mainstream opposition has emerged as its own force in this election, for the first time since 2010. Incumbent Soichiro Takashima (Ind, *), who first won in that year, is officially fully independent, but has the backing of most of the local LDP - no mean feat in Fukuoka's fractious branches - and local Komeito (Centre-right). He faces two challengers.

Japan (Okinawa): 2022 is an "election year" in Okinawa: in addition to today's gubernatorial election, and those for the mayoralties of cities such as Naha and Nago taking place at other times in the year, a large cluster of local polls throughout the prefecture are held today. Two in particular warrant further attention. One is for the mayoralty of Ginowan, the city host to the urban Futenma base that the LDP (Conservative) controversially wishes to relocate northwards. This context has made Ginowan LDP-friendly turf, but polls show a very close race.

ROK: On the 15th April 2020, South Korea will be going to the polls to elect the 300 members of their National Assembly (Parliament)

To understand exactly what each party contesting this election stands for here is a guide on it's history and policies: #SouthKorea

Taiwan: On 11 January 2020, voters will be going to the polls to elect the President and all 113 members of the national parliament.

To understand exactly what each party contesting this elections stands for, here is a guide on their history and policies. #Taiwan2020 First, the Presidential candidates: