Okinawa Votes for Governor as US Base Row Simmers
Okinawans voted for governor on Sunday, with turnout up from four years ago as the US base dispute at Henoko looms over the race.
Voters across Okinawa went to the polls on Sunday to choose the governor of Japan's southernmost prefecture, in an election that has drawn attention well beyond the islands.
Governor Denny Tamaki, the incumbent, is seeking another term against five other candidates. Among them is Genta Koja, who has the backing of the Liberal Democratic Party.
By 6 p.m. local time, estimated turnout stood at 25.56 percent, an increase of 2.74 percentage points over the previous gubernatorial election four years ago, figures from the election commission showed.
Okinawa occupies a central place in the Japan-US security alliance at a time of rising tensions with China, as Tokyo moves to strengthen its military posture in the southwestern region. The prefecture hosts roughly half of the approximately 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan under the two countries' bilateral security pact.
For many residents, the bases bring persistent grievances — the risk of accidents, aircraft noise, pollution and crime among them.
Despite years of protests and legal challenges, Japan and the United States are pressing ahead with construction of a replacement facility for the US Marine Corps Air Station at Henoko. The project has become a focal point of local opposition and a recurring issue in Okinawan politics.