Okinawa Governor Race Starts

Gubernatorial election of Okinawa was officially announced on August 27th. The voting day is September 13th. Six candidates ran for the governor and embarked on their campaign. The race is effectively an one-on-one battle between incumbent Denny Tamaki on the liberal side and Genta Koja from conservative group. While Tamaki appeals stopping construction of a military base in Henoko area, Koja advocates promotion of economic policies, not focusing on the base issue. 

Tamaki achieved victories in two previous elections, upholding firm opposition to building a military base of the United States Force in Henoko. But his efforts to block the construction by the government of Japan have been defeated. Although Tamaki refused the construction plan with concern about the seabed as soft as mayonnaise, the government of Japan filed a lawsuit against Tamaki’s decision. The Supreme Court approved the argument of the national government in 2023.

 

Making peace is the main message of Tamaki’s campaign. There is a concern among the people in Okinawa that the new base can become a target for possible enemy’s attack. But some people are getting tired of the prolonged protest. An accident in March, in which a high school student died with overturn of protester’s boat, caused criticisms on the liberal side. Tamaki campaign is not in as good mood as in the previous ones.

 

Koja approves new base in Henoko. He pledges to make progress rather than slowdown. His main agenda is economic policies. Koja argues that he can double the income of every citizen in Okinawa by major development of the land in the center of the Okinawa Island. The land, which is currently used by U.S. Force as Futenma Air Base, is supposed to be returned to Okinawa after building of the Henoko base is finished. Koja also upholds promotion of support for the families with little kids.

 

Although the previous elections have been the matches between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the opposition parties, the structure of supporters for candidates has significantly changed. Koja received support not only from the LDP but some opposition parties such as Democratic Party for the People or Sanseito. Local branch of Komeito, which left coalition with the LDP, also joined Koja campaign.

 

Tamaki was elected for the first time in 2018 with his political basis called All Okinawa, which included wide range of supporters beyond party line. But All Okinawa has been weakened as protest against Henoko base could not achieve major progress. While Constitutional Democratic Party, Japan Communist Party and some opposition parties support Tamaki, Central Reform Alliance failed in deciding organized support for him.

 

Former LDP lawmaker from Okinawa, Mikio Shimoji, announced that he would not run for the governor’s race just before the official announcement. It is supposed that conservative voters will be integrated to Koja campaign. It reflects current political situation in Okinawa, in which protest against Henoko base is shrunk.

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