A gubernatorial election was held on 13 March 2002 to elect the next governor of Shiga (石川県, Shiga-ken), a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu island.
Yoshitsugu Kunimatsu, 64, incumbent since 1998, former prefectural official in charge of general affairs and health and welfare matters. He was supported by the LDP, New Komeito party and the NCP, as well as the opposition DPJ and the SDP.
Yoshihiro Tanimoto, 63, adviser to the Shiga chapter of the Zenroren, endorsed by JCP.