Japan Press Weekly

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2022 September 7 - 13 TOP3 [POLITICS]

'All Okinawa' wins in Okinawa elections

Incumbent "All-Okinawa" candidate Tamaki Denny on September 11 won reelection as Okinawa governor in the Okinawa gubernatorial election where the planned construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko was a key issue, defeating his opponent backed by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties by a wide margin.

Also, in the by-election of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held on the same day, an All-Okinawa candidate achieved victory. The All-Okinawa force taking the side of Governor Tamaki retains its majority in the assembly.

The Japanese Communist Party fielded 18 candidates in 14 local assembly elections in Okinawa (five cities, four towns, and five villages), and all 18 were successful.

Following the election results, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo held a press conference and issued a comment, "The All-Okinawa victory has shown yet again the Okinawans' unwavering resolve to block the new base project in Henoko."

Shii said, "Okinawa voters in these elections voiced their opposition to the LDP-Komei government which always uses state power to crush Okinawans' demands."

He demanded that the Kishida government take the election results seriously, give up on proceeding with the Henoko base project, and immediately close the U.S. Futenma base.

Shii added, "Our party will continue to cooperate with Governor Tamaki and make efforts to work to establish a base-free peaceful Okinawa."