Voting opens today for the 15th Okinawa Prefecture governor election, with 6 candidates running, a record high

The 15th Okinawa Prefecture governor election opened today. There are six candidates, the most in history. The biggest focus is how voters evaluate Tamaki Dani, who has been in power for two terms and eight years, and decide whether to continue the current prefectural administration or demand reforms.

"Ryukyu Shinpo" reported that this election was held due to the expiration of Danny Tamaki's term. Voting operations will be conducted at 41 municipalities, towns and villages in Okinawa Prefecture today. The election results are expected to be roughly announced around 11 p.m. Japan time (10 p.m. Taiwan time).

Since former Okinawa Governor Onaga Yushi took office in 2014, the prefectural government supported by "all Okinawa" forces has lasted for 3 terms and 12 years. This election will also test the support of the people of Okinawa for the "all Okinawa" forces.

The "all-Okinawa" forces oppose the relocation of the US military's Futenma base to the Henoko area of ​​Nago City.

This Okinawa Prefecture governor election is mainly contested by 42-year-old Genta Furusha, a newcomer without party membership and former deputy mayor of Naha City, and 66-year-old Danny Tamaki, the current governor without party membership.

Koshe was recommended by the Okinawa Prefectural Headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Japan Reform Association, the National Democratic Party, the political parties, the Conservative Party, and the Komeito Party, and his position was to agree to the relocation of Futenma Airport to the Henoko area.

Koshe and Tamaki held campaign events and rallies across Okinawa, and on the 12th they both held their final campaign in Naha City, a vote bank.

The report pointed out that the election results will also affect the defense policy of the Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's government. The Takaichi government is promoting the strengthening of the Japan-US alliance.

According to the Okinawa Prefectural Election Management Committee, during the 16 days from August 28 to September 12, a total of 347,169 people completed early voting, accounting for 29.51% of the 1,176,321 people registered on the electoral roll on August 26.

The other four candidates are all newcomers, including 48-year-old Toshi Kaneshima, 73-year-old Masahiro Sueyoshi, 49-year-old Higa Taka and 74-year-old Yara Asuke.

In addition to the adjustment of the hours of some polling stations for some reasons today, 313 polling stations in Okinawa Prefecture will be open for voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.