Top court upholds nullification of village head's election

AWASHIMAURA, Japan - Yasuo Kamimaru, the leader of the Niigata Prefecture village of Awashimaura, speaks at a news conference in the village July 30 after losing his job due to a Supreme Court decision issued the same day. The court upheld a ruling invalidating his uncontested 2001 reelection after he was sued by a potential contender who claimed Kamimaru blocked his candidacy.