In Okinawa Prefecture, a series of key elections this year are spotlighting potential renewed cooperation between the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. Though their coalition ended last year, the parties are set to join forces in the Nago mayoral race to counter the All Okinawa group. Arrangements for the pivotal gubernatorial election this autumn remain undecided.
Okinawa's political landscape is heating up with a series of key elections this year, where cooperation between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito is proving essential to challenge the All Okinawa group, formed by the Japanese Communist Party and others. Their coalition dissolved last year, but the parties are preparing to align for the Nago mayoral election, with official campaigning starting on January 18 and voting on January 25.
Nago is slated to host the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from Ginowan. The race pits incumbent Taketoyo Toguchi, 64, seeking a third term, against Kumiko Onaga, 69, a former city assembly member. Toguchi, endorsed by the LDP—which backs the relocation—and Komeito's Okinawa branch, which holds reservations, has not declared his stance on moving the base to the Henoko area. Onaga is supported by All Okinawa forces backing Governor Denny Tamaki, 66.
"The election year has started. We must succeed by all means possible," said Takayuki Kobayashi, chair of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, at a party meeting in Naha on Friday.
Attention is also turning to the gubernatorial election this autumn, as Tamaki's term expires in September. On Tuesday, the All Okinawa coalition plans to formally urge Tamaki, who has expressed interest in a third term, to run again. The LDP's local branch aims to reclaim the governorship after 12 years, partnering with business leaders. A committee, mainly from the business community, is expected to select a candidate as early as Sunday, with the party backing the choice.
Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito told reporters after a Naha meeting, “We respect local opinion and want to carefully consider this as the party headquarters.” Historically, Okinawa was the first place where LDP and Komeito teamed up in 1998; Komeito's decision not to direct votes indirectly aided the LDP-endorsed winner. A Komeito official noted, “While we will hold discussions for each election, we are unlikely to support Mr. Tamaki” in the gubernatorial race.
