June 9, 2020

All seven Japanese Communist Party candidates won in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly election on June 7. The party secured seven seats, up one from the pre-election strength, for the first time in party history. Forces supportive of anti-base Governor Tamaki Denny won 25 seats in total, securing the majority in the 48-member assembly.

Following the election, Governor Tamaki said that as he gained Okinawans' understanding and trust as displayed in the election, he will maintain his firm opposition to the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko."

On June 8, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira in Tokyo held a press conference and said, "The JCP expresses our sincere respect for the sensible verdict delivered by Okinawa voters. The election results show Okinawans' unwavering resolve to block the new base project and their appreciation for Governor Tamaki's steering of the prefectural government."

He also said, "The JCP in the election campaign worked together with the 'All Okinawa' coalition, appealing to voters for their support by saying, 'Use the 2.55-trillion-yen budget for the new base project to improve Okinawans' livelihoods and the Okinawan economy!' This slogan resonated with many voters."

Affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the voter turnout hit a record low of 46.9%. The number of votes the JCP received accounted for 95.1% of the votes obtained in the previous election while the Liberal Democratic Party, despite increasing its number of seats, suffered a decrease to 81.2%.

Pointing only to the increase of LDP seats, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide in Tokyo said, "The Henoko base project has gained Okinawans' understanding." Reacting to this remark, Koike said, "What on earth is he looking at?"

Koike said, "The 7-member JCP assemblypersons' group will work to support the Tamaki-led Okinawa government in collaboration with the 'All Okinawa' coalition and will make efforts to realize our election promises such as taking more effective anti-coronavirus countermeasures, improving Okinawans' livelihoods, and revitalizing the local economy." He added, "The national government and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo should bow to public opinion shown repeatedly in past elections in Okinawa, abandon the plan to construct the new U.S. base in Henoko without delay, put a halt to the Futenma base operations, and unconditionally dismantle the Futenma base."

Past related article:
> Campaign period for Okinawa Prefectural Assembly officially begins [May 30, 2020]