Okinawa gubernatorial race tightens as anti-base incumbent faces pro-relocation challenger
Incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki, who opposes moving a U.S. base, is neck-and-neck with pro-relocation candidate Genta Koja in a Kyodo poll.
Two‑day phone poll indicates that incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki and former Naha deputy mayor Genta Koja are virtually even in the Okinawa gubernatorial contest. The survey, which reached 603 landline and 404 mobile respondents, found that the largest voter priority - cited by 46% - is economic growth, tourism and employment, though the contentious plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko continues to dominate the campaign.
Tamaki, running for a third term without a formal party endorsement, is supported by left-leaning forces including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party and the All Okinawa coalition. Koja, who favors the relocation, is endorsed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its junior partner the Japan Innovation Party, as well as the opposition Democratic Party for the People and the ultraconservative Sanseito. The election, set for Sept. 13, is viewed as a bellwether for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration ahead of next spring’s unified local elections.
Why it matters
The race will shape Okinawa's stance on a major U.S. base relocation, affecting local livelihoods and Japan-U.S. security ties.
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