Okinawa governor race: LDP seeks to end 12-year opposition hold

Campaign officially begins with six candidates

The official campaign period for Okinawa's Sept. 13 gubernatorial election began on Thursday, with six candidates filing their candidacies, according to reports from Jiji Press and others. The race pits two-term incumbent Gov. Denny Tamaki, 66, against former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja, 42, though the contest is expected to come down to these two frontrunners.

Other candidates include Shun Kaneshima, 48, Masahiro Sueyoshi, 73, Takashi Higa, 49, and Chosuke Yara, 74, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. This is the 15th gubernatorial election since Okinawa's reversion to Japan in 1972, and it has the largest number of candidates among such races.

The central issue: Futenma relocation

A key issue in the race is the relocation of the S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station from the Okinawa city of Ginowan to the Henoko coastal district in Nago. Tamaki, who opposes the relocation, is backed by the All Okinawa movement, which includes the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party, according to multiple outlets. Koja, who accepts the relocation, is supported by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Japan Innovation Party, the Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito, and the Conservative Party of Japan, as reported by the Manila Bulletin.

The South China Morning Post noted that analysts believe a victory by Koja would likely help smooth ties between Okinawa and Tokyo and weaken resistance against the planned relocation. Such an outcome would boost efforts by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's LDP to convince Okinawans that closer cooperation with Tokyo can deliver stronger economic support.

LDP's strategic push

The LDP, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is ready to devote its maximum resources to win the election, as reported by The Japan Times. LDP executives will visit the island prefecture one after another to rally support for Koja. Yasutoshi Nishimura, who chairs the LDP's Election Strategy Committee, said at a rally for Koja's candidacy in the city of Urasoe on Thursday: "We'll help Koja realize his election pledges with all our strength."

The LDP is preparing to go all out to support Koja, according to Japanese media reports cited by the South China Morning Post. The ruling party hopes the 42-year-old will replace Tamaki, an independent politician backed by the All Okinawa coalition.

Candidates' platforms

Delivering his first campaign speech in Naha, Koja said that high prices and traffic congestion are major problems the prefecture needs to tackle, pledging to "change a stagnant prefectural government into one that moves ahead." He has also pledged to double per capita prefectural income, as reported by the Manila Bulletin.

Tamaki, speaking in the town of Motobu, stressed: "Everything is for the people of the prefecture and for the future. I will devote myself wholeheartedly to serving the people of the prefecture."

Coalition dynamics and recent setbacks

The All Okinawa camp has suffered a string of defeats in recent mayoral elections, according to the Manila Bulletin. Tamaki prioritizes unaffiliated voters and did not seek recommendations from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party, or the Social Democratic Party, all of which are members of the camp.

Mikio Shimoji concluded a policy agreement with the LDP and scrapped his plan to run, as reported by the Manila Bulletin. Komeito left the LDP-led coalition last year and limited its backing to a recommendation from its Okinawa prefectural chapter.

Economic and social context

The race is focused on economic agendas but increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions, as reported by The Japan Times. A 17-year-old high school girl died in a March boat accident during a peace education program organized by a group supporting Tamaki; she was visiting Henoko on a school trip, according to the Manila Bulletin.

Outlook

The outcome of the election is likely to affect the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who also serves as the LDP's president, according to com. The race is seen as a test of whether the ruling party can win over voters from a prefecture that has long opposed its security agenda and the heavy US military presence on its islands.