[13] Shinji Ishimaru, the former Mayor of Akitakata, and Toshio Tamogami, the former Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force ran without the support of any major parties.

[14] Free Education For All and Sanseitō instructed its members to vote freely, while Nippon Ishin no Kai and Reiwa Shinsengumi did not field or endorse a candidate.

[21][22] The main issues in the election included declining birth rates,[23][24] environmental laws,[25] redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien area,[26] and the use of projection mapping on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

[29] Renhō's campaign has been noted for its progressivism, advocating for LGBT inclusive policies, climate action, and intergenerational equity, which appeals to younger voters.

[30][31] Shinji Ishimaru, the 41 year old who previously served as the Mayor of Akitakata, has used social media to increase his name recognition, running a populist campaign by advertising himself as a political outsider.

[33] Tamogami appealed to conservatives, making speeches in front of the Defense Ministry building, having a strong stance in support of the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and being opposed to immigration.

[38]The NHK Party led by Takashi Tachibana launched a political stunt named "Operation Tokyo Gubernatorial Election Poster Display Jacking."

[42] Additionally, posters in the same Ward featured illustrations of deceased actor Haruma Miura, leading to a protest from his former talent agency, Amuse.

Secretary-General of the LDP Toshimitsu Motegi expressed the need to consider revising the Public Offices Election Act to address the poster jacking.

[45][46][47] The election gained international attention due to the large amount of joke parties and perennial candidates participating,[48] which included 96-year-old inventor Yoshiro Nakamatsu, internet comedian 'AI Mayor', Yusuke Kawai, the self-proclaimed "Joker of Japan" who gained controversy for putting explicit campaign posters with a fully nude image of a gyaru model, which was later removed by the Metropolitan Police Department,[49] and a candidate from the 'Poker Party' who advocates for economic and political reforms through the card game.

[50][51] Governor of Tottori Shinji Hirai said in a remark to the Tottori prefectural assembly that the influx of joke and perennial candidates in the election showed that “democracy is at risk of collapse.”[48] In Japan, political broadcasts airs on NHK to provide a platform for all candidates participating in an election to present their policies and appeal to voters.

In addition to serious policy discussions, political broadcasts often features appearances by joke and perennial candidates who use this platform to engage in unconventional or questionable activities.

[52][53][54] Makoto Sakurai, the Japan First Party candidate, has long been noted for his xenophobia, founding the anti-Zainichi Korean organization Zaitokukai in 2007.

Both campaigns have filed damage reports with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the incident is being investigated on suspicion of intimidation.

[71] Ishimaru, who exceeded expectations and placed second behind Koike, said in his concession speech that he is thinking of entering national politics in the future, hinting a candidacy for the Hiroshima 1st district of the House of Representatives, the constituency of prime minister Fumio Kishida.

LDP Assembly member Ikki Yamazaki resigned due to his candidacy for the 2023 Kōtō Ward Mayoral election.

Independent Assembly member Kyoko Morisawa resigned due to her candidacy for the 2022 Shinagawa Ward Mayoral election.

Independent Assembly member Kanako Yamada resigned due to her candidacy for the 2023 Kita Ward Mayoral election.