Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki Runs on Economy Amid Controversial US Base Presence

Denny Tamaki, who has led Okinawa since 2018, is running for a third term and has centered his campaign on revitalising the local economy and supporting families. He continues to be known for his strong opposition to the heavy American military footprint that occupies a substantial part of the prefecture, with several bases located in Naha and elsewhere. Okinawa’s position between Taiwan and the disputed Senkaku Islands gives it strategic importance.

In addition to US installations, the Japanese central government has stationed Self-Defence Forces on Yonaguni, Miyakojima and Ishigaki, expanding military capability in the East China Sea and the Pacific. Tamaki’s platform seeks to balance security concerns with economic development ahead of the Sunday vote.