April 26, 2010

Base-opponent incumbent Tomon Mitsuko on April 25 won in the Okinawa City mayoral election, defeating her rival backed by the pro-base Liberal Democratic and Komei parties.
Tomon carried out a campaign with the backing of the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Social Mass Party.

Her reelection shows that voters gave a verdict of “No!” to the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to any location in Okinawa.

On the same day, about 90,000 Okinawans converged at a large rally in Yomitan Village calling for the immediate return of the Futenma base and for the removal of the base from Japan or at least from Okinawa.
- Akahata, April 26, 2010