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.
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