Okinawa gets 1st governor in 12 yrs backing U.S. base relocation plan

NAHA, Japan - Genta Koja, the candidate backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, secured victory in Sunday's Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Koja's win over incumbent Denny Tamaki, an opponent of the transfer of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan to the coastal Henoko area in Nago within Okinawa, will provide a tailwind for Takaichi's government as it moves ahead with the contentious project.