The victory of a candidate backed by the ruling bloc in the mayoral race in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday, has boosted expectations within the government and ruling parties for progress in the plan to transfer the U. S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan in the prefecture to Nago's Henoko district.
Taketoyo Toguchi's victory in the election -- which was considered a prelude to a gubernatorial race that could be held as early as this fall -- has apparently reassured the government and ruling bloc over the Okinawa gubernatorial election, in which the transfer plan will likely be the biggest point of contention.
Toguchi's stance of "reconciling the issues of dealing with the [U.S.] bases with those of matters such as the economy and education gained the public's understanding," LDP's Election Strategy Committee Chairman Ryu Shionoya told reporters at the party headquarters Sunday night after the candidate's victory was assured.
Toguchi had faced political headwinds over such issues as a series of incidents involving U.S. military aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture and inappropriate remarks by former Cabinet Office State Minister Fumiaki Matsumoto.
Komeito's Electoral Policy Committee Chair Tetsuo Saito explained Toguchi's victory saying: "Such measures as taking swift actions toward the U.S. military [over the aircraft troubles] and replacing the then-state minister have minimized the negative impact."
The two camps waged all-out battle in a contest that both considered a prelude to the gubernatorial poll.
The Liberal Democratic Party sent party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to Nago prior to the official start of the campaign.
Party Chief Deputy Secretary General Shinjiro Koizumi, a prominent figure in the party, also visited the Okinawa city twice after the launch of the official campaign period.
A senior opposition party member said "damage from losing the election is significant," especially because party officials including leaders of such parties as the Japanese Communist Party and the Liberal Party hit the streets of Nago and led a chorus of criticism against the government.
As Nago incumbent Susumu Inamine lost the election despite full-fledged support from Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga, who is opposed to the Henoko transfer plan, the opposition camp will likely be forced to review its strategy toward the gubernatorial race.
The government plans to "proceed with the transfer plan as scheduled, regardless of the result of the elections" in Okinawa, Suga has said.
As the government continued seawall construction off the Henoko coastal area even during the Nago election campaign period, a view has spread among local residents that mayors are powerless to stop the construction.
Nevertheless, Toguchi has not said whether he will accept the base transfer.
The government plans to begin talks with Toguchi in a bid to realize the return of the Futenma Air Station at an early date.
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