Japan's Okinawa reelects governor opposing heavy US troop presence

Okinawa’s incumbent governor who opposes an ongoing US Marine base relocation forced by Japan’s central government and calls for a further reduction of American troops on the southern island secured his reelection on September 11 despite concerns of escalating tensions between China and nearby Taiwan.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki and his supporters declared his victory and celebrated with the chants of “banzai” soon after the exit poll results showed he beat two contenders — Atsushi Sakima, backed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing bloc and supports its base relocation plan, and another opposition-backed candidate Mikio Shimoji, according to AP News.

Tamaki, who is backed by opposition parties, won 339,767 votes, or about 51% of the effective votes, over Sakima’s 274,844 votes and Shimoji’s 53,677, according to the final results released Monday by the Okinawa prefecture. Polls were held Sunday before his first four-year term is to end later this month.

Tamaki’s victory could deepen tensions between Okinawa and the central government.

The plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighbourhood to a less populated area on the island has already been delayed for years. Okinawans call it a new construction rather than a relocation and want the Futenma base closed and removed from the island.

“My commitment to resolve the U.S. military base problem for the future of Okinawa has never been shaken,” Tamaki said. He said he will continue his endeavour to convey Okinawans' will to the central government.

During the campaign, Tamaki also vowed to do more to improve Okinawa’s economy. Tourism on the semi-tropical island known for its corals, marine life and unique culture was badly hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

Resentment and frustration run deep in Okinawa because of the heavy U.S. presence and Tokyo’s lack of efforts to negotiate with Washington over how to balance the burden of hosting U.S. troops between mainland Japan and the southern island group.

Okinawa, where one of the bloodiest battles in World War II was fought, was under American occupation until it returned to Japan’s control in 1972. Today, a majority of the 50,000 U.S. troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact and 70% of U.S. military facilities are still in Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land.