Toyoji Sudo, mayor of Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture, was found dead in a drainage ditch early Monday in the town of Yachiyo, also in the prefecture.
>Ibaraki Prefectural Police believe, based on surrounding circumstances, that Sudo, 67, killed himself.
The mayor returned to his home on Sunday morning before leaving in a car alone, according to the police. A family member, worried that he did not return even at night, reported him missing around 11 p.m. His body was found in a police search around 12:50 a.m. Monday.
Sudo served as speaker of the city assembly before being elected mayor for the first time in March.
>Since the election was less than 3 months ago, the pro-immigrant runner up will assume leadership according to the rules.