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Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki performs a traditional folk dance with his supporters on Sunday after winning a second four-year-term. Photo: Kyodo

Anti-US governor of Japan’s Okinawa vows to ‘resolve the US military base problem’ amid Taiwan tension after re-election

  • Denny Tamaki’s re-election threatens to deepen tensions between Okinawa and Tokyo over a plan to relocate US troops stationed on the island
  • Okinawans call the plan a new construction rather than a relocation and want the Futenma base closed and removed from the island
Japan
Okinawa’s incumbent governor, who opposes an ongoing US Marine base relocation forced by Japan’s central government and calls for a further reduction of American troops on the southern island, has secured his re-election despite concerns of escalating tensions between mainland China and nearby Taiwan.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and his supporters declared his victory on Sunday and celebrated with chants of “banzai” soon after the exit poll results showed he beat two contenders – Atsushi Sakima, backed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing bloc and supports its base relocation plan, and another opposition-backed candidate Mikio Shimoji.

Tamaki, who is backed by opposition parties, won 339,767 votes, or about 51 per cent of the effective votes, over Sakima’s 274,844 votes and Shimoji’s 53,677, according to the final results released on Monday by the Okinawa prefecture. Polls were held on Sunday before his first four-year term is to end later this month.

MV-22 Osprey aircraft are seen stationed at the US Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Ginowan on Okinawa. Photo: Reuters

Tamaki’s victory could deepen tensions between Okinawa and the central government.

The plan to move US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighbourhood to a less populated area on the island has already been delayed for years. Okinawans call it a new construction rather than a relocation and want the Futenma base closed and removed from the island.

“My commitment to resolve the US military base problem for the future of Okinawa has never been shaken,” Tamaki said. He said he will continue his endeavour to convey Okinawan’s will to the central government.

Okinawa wants US base reduced – 77 years after battle’s end

During the campaign, Tamaki also vowed to do more to improve Okinawa’s economy. Tourism on the semi-tropical island known for its corals, marine life and unique culture was badly hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Resentment and frustration run deep in Okinawa because of the heavy US presence and Tokyo’s lack of efforts to negotiate with Washington over how to balance the burden of hosting US troops between mainland Japan and the southern island group.

Okinawa, where one of the bloodiest battles in World War II was fought, was under American occupation until it returned to Japan’s control in 1972. Today, a majority of the 50,000 US troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact and 70 per cent of US military facilities are still in Okinawa, which accounts for about 0.6 per cent of Japanese land.

Because of the US bases, Okinawa struggled with noise, pollution, accidents and crime related to American troops, Tamaki said.

02:12

US military base likely polluted drinking water in Japan, threatening the health of thousands

US military base likely polluted drinking water in Japan, threatening the health of thousands
Japan’s government has in recent years shifted the nation’s defence posture to its southwestern region, Okinawa and its remote islands and is pushing to significantly bolster Japan’s military capability and budget over the next five to 10 years, citing growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

Many in Okinawa are worried about the growing deployment of Japanese missile defences and amphibious capabilities on outer islands that are close to geopolitical hotspots like Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China claims as its own and has threatened to use force to annex if necessary. Okinawan people fear that they will be the first to be embroiled in a conflict over Taiwan.

The Futenma base relocation plan was developed after the 1995 rape of a Okinawan schoolgirl, in which three US servicemen were convicted. The case reignited local opposition to the US bases. The relocation has been delayed for years due to Okinawa’s resistance as well as environmental and structural issues in the Henoko area, where the new base in supposed to be set up.

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