TOKYO: In a dramatic twist in the battle for Okinawa’s highest office, newcomer KOJA Genta (42), former deputy mayor of Naha City and outspoken supporter of the American military base, ousted incumbent Governor TAMAKI Denny (66), a determined base opponent seeking a third term.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and several major opposition parties endorsed Koja, including the Japan Innovation Party, the Democratic Party for the People, the Party for Political Science, the Conservative Party, and the Komeito Party’s prefectural headquarters.
Exit polls from the Okinawa Times show Koja poised to make history as Okinawa’s youngest-ever governor and the first leader born after the prefecture rejoined Japan in 1972.
Momentum has shifted toward relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from Ginowan City to the Henoko site in Nago City. Koja champions this move, becoming the first governor elected on a pro-Henoko platform since land reclamation began in July 2014. He is pushing for a concrete timeline for Futenma’s return, as both the Japanese and U.S. governments face mounting scrutiny over their next steps.
Koja has thrown a spotlight on Okinawa’s low labor productivity and shrinking budget, vowing to make economic revitalization the centerpiece of his administration.
Supported by the “All Okinawa” movement against the new Henoko base, Tamaki highlighted his achievements from two terms and eight years in office. Still, his backing remained stagnant.
Among the defeated candidates was YARA Tomosuke(74), who stood for a political group tied to a minor party calling for Okinawa’s independence from Japan and the creation of the “Republic of Rukyo,” echoing the region’s historic identity.
Genta Koja was born on October 23, 1983, in Naha City. He graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2008. He ran unsuccessfully for the House of Councilors in Okinawa in July 2022. In December 2022, he became Deputy Mayor of Naha City and resigned in February 2026 to run for governor.
Koja’s four-year term will commence on September 30.
AloJapan.com