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BackOkinawa prefecture gubernatorial election: incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Xie Xuenta face off, voting continues
Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial election: incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Xie Xuenta face off, voting continues
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時事通信19 minutes agoPolitics2 min readJapanView original

Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial election: incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Xie Xuenta face off, voting continues

Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial electionDenny TamakiXie Genta

Quick Look

  • Voting for the Okinawa prefectural gubernatorial election will be held on the 13th, closes at 8pm, and votes will be counted on the same day.
  • It is a virtual one-on-one battle between Xie Genta (42), a newcomer and former vice mayor of Naha City, who is supported by conservative forces such as the Liberal Democratic Party, and Governor Denny Tamashiro (66), who is supported by the progressive group "All Okinawa." Voter turnout as of 11 a.m. was 8.14%, 0.95 points higher than last time.
  • The main points of contention are the Henoko relocation issue and the prefecture's economy.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial election is held once every four years, and this time it is an election to coincide with the expiration of a governor's term. The previous voting rate in 2022 was 7.19%. The main points of contention are the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Base to Henoko and economic development within the prefecture.

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Voting in the Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial election, which is due to expire, began on the 13th. Votes close at 8 p.m. and votes will be counted the same day. It is a virtual one-on-one battle between Xie Genta (42), a newcomer and former vice mayor of Naha City, who is supported by conservative forces such as the Liberal Democratic Party, and Governor Denny Tamashiro (66), who is supported by the progressive group ``All Okinawa''. As of 11 a.m., the midterm voting rate was 8.14%, 0.95 points higher than the previous election in 2022.

Judged on “Henoko” and “Economy” Okinawa gubernatorial election, now a new one-on-one battle, votes counted on the 13th

While the Liberal Democratic Party is aiming to regain prefectural government for the first time in 12 years, Tamaki is aiming for a third term. The result is likely to have an impact on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (President of the Liberal Democratic Party)'s management of the government.

Xie Xuanta was recommended by the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan Restoration Party, People's Democratic Party, Sangyo, Japan Conservative Party, and Komeito Prefectural Headquarters. Mr. Tamaki received support from both the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Communist Party.

The main issues in the election campaign were the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Base (located in Ginowan City, the same prefecture) to Henoko, Nago City, and the promotion of the prefecture's economy.

Four newcomers are also running in the gubernatorial election: company president Shun Kaneshima (48), medical corporation chairman Masahiro Sueyoshi (73), company representative Takashi Higa (49), and political organization representative Asasuke Yara (74).

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • If Governor Denny Tamaki is re-elected, there is a high possibility that the prefecture's resistance to the Henoko relocation will continue.

    Likely · Within weeks

  • If Xie Genta wins, there is a possibility that conservative forces led by the Liberal Democratic Party will regain control of the prefectural government and show a cooperative attitude towards the Henoko relocation.

    Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

  • What specific policy changes will the election results bring to the prefectural government?
  • What will be the future development of the Henoko relocation issue?
  • How has young people's voting behavior changed?

Related Topics

Okinawa prefecture gubernatorial election
PeopleDenny TamakiXie GentaSanae TakaichiShun Kaneshima
Organizationsliberal democratic partyJapan Restoration AssociationNational Democratic PartyParty of Do it Yourself
PlacesOkinawa prefectureNaha cityGinowan CityHenoko, Nago City
TopicsDenny TamakiXie GentaHenokoAll Okinawaliberal democratic partyinnovation system
This article was originally published by 時事通信.

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