Tight Race in Okinawa as Genta Koja Takes Lead Over Denny Tamaki
By Editor • September 11, 2026 • 1 min read
In a closely contested gubernatorial election in Okinawa, Genta Koja, the candidate backed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), holds a narrow advantage over the incumbent governor, Denny Tamaki, as voting day approaches this Sunday.
Recent media polls indicate that while Koja seems to be slightly ahead, the race remains extremely competitive. The outcome of this election is anticipated to influence not only the direction of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration, but also the contentious relocation of a U.S. military base within the prefecture—an issue that holds significant implications for Japan's relationship with the United States.
The election is being viewed as a referendum on Tamaki’s leadership, who, at 66 years old, has previously campaigned against the construction of a U.S. Marine Corps base on reclaimed land in the Henoko district during both the 2018 and 2022 elections. Voter sentiment appears divided as residents weigh the local impacts of military presence against broader national interests.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
#Denny Tamaki #Genta Koja #Liberal Democratic Party #Okinawa #U.S. military base
