Okinawa votes in gubernatorial election: Koza versus Tamaki
In Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, a gubernatorial election is being held on Sunday. Incumbent prefectural governor Denny Tamaki, who is seeking re-election for a third term, is competing against Genta Koza, who is backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Polling stations are due to close at 8:00 p.m., with results expected by the end of the day, The Japan Times reports.
Turnout and party support
As of 4:00 p.m., voter turnout stood at 20.45%, 2.23 percentage points higher than in the previous Okinawa gubernatorial election in 2022. The Liberal Democratic Party is seeking to regain the governorship for the first time in 12 years.
In addition to the LDP, Koza was supported by Nippon Ishin, the Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito, the Conservative Party of Japan and the Okinawa prefectural branch of Komeito. Tamaki received support from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party.
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Key issues in the race
The main campaign issues include the proposed relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, located in the city of Ginowan, to Henoko in the city of Nago, as well as the development of the prefecture’s economy.
Four first-time candidates are also running in the election: company president Shun Kaneshima, medical corporation head Masahiro Sueyoshi, company representative Takashi Higa and political organization leader Chosuke Yara. According to the publication, the outcome of the vote could affect the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who supported Koza.
