PoliticsJapanese PM-backed candidate wins Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja, a former deputy mayor of Naha backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, defeated two-term incumbent Denny Tamaki with 59 percent of the vote. Koja’s victory could end Okinawa’s legal efforts to block the relocation of US Marines from Futenma to Henoko and make expanded military use of civilian airports and ports easier.

Okinawa electionJapanese politicsUS military basesdefence policy

AAl Jazeera★★★☆☆2026-09-14 03:38Original