2016 Okinawa prefectural election

The 2016 Okinawa Prefectural Assembly election (2016年沖縄県議会議員選挙, 2016-nen Okinawa Kengikai Giin Senkyo), or more formally the 12th general election of members of the Okinawa prefectural assembly (第12回沖縄県議会議員一般選挙, daijūnikai Okinawa kengikai giin ippan senkyo), was held on 5 June 2016.

2016 Okinawa prefectural election

5 June 2016
All 48 seats in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly 25 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	53.31%
Party Liberal Democratic Social Democratic Communist Alliance Opposition Government Government Last election 13 seats 5 seats 5 seats Seats before 13 5 5 Seats after 14 6 6 Seat change 1 1 1   Party Komeito Okinawa Social Mass Innovation Alliance Neutral Government Neutral Last election 4 seats 2 seats 2 seats Seats before 4 2 2 Seats after 4 3 2 Seat change 1

The election resulted in victory to the camp supporting Governor Takeshi Onaga who won 27 seats, up from 24 seats before the election. 53.31% turned out in the election, an increase of 0.82% from the historic low turnout in 2012.[1][2][3][4]

Campaign

This election is viewed as crucial to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government plan to relocate the Futenma Air Base in Ginowan to Henoko. Governor Takeshi Onaga's camp, which opposes the relocation plan, had 24 seats going into the election.[5][6]

Results

Summary of the 5 June 2016 Okinawa Prefectural Assembly election results[1]

Alliances and parties		Votes	%	Seats	Change
	Social Democratic Party (SDP)			6	1
	Japanese Communist Party (JCP)			6	1
	Okinawa Social Mass Party			3	1
	Yui no Kai			3	1
	Independents			9	1
	Pro-government coalition			27	3
	Kōmeitō			4
	Initiatives from Osaka			2
	Independents			0	2
	Neutral			6	2
	Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)			14	1
	Independents			1
	Opposition coalition			15	1
Totals				48
Turnout			53.31%		0.82%

Aftermath

The results is interpreted as a sign of growing opposition against the Henoko move, especially after the murder case involving a US base worker several weeks before the election. There is a renewed push to review the Status of Forces Agreement between the Japanese and American governments, in place since 1960.

The battle for the Okinawa seat in the House of Councillors election in July will be closely watched. The incumbent, Minister for Okinawa Affairs Aiko Shimajiri is expected to face a tough fight against the former mayor of Ginowan Yoichi Iha. The large anti-base rally planned on 19 June can become an indicator of the local voters mood going into 10 July.[7]

References

1. "平成２８年沖縄県議選" [2016 (Heisei 28) Okinawa prefectural assembly election] (in Japanese). NHK. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
2. "Okinawa anti-base faction boosts its majority in prefectural assembly election". Japan Times. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
3. "翁長知事の県政運営に勢い：　沖縄議員選で与党大勝" [Gov Onaga's government boosted: Voters deliver crushing victory for ruling coalition] (in Japanese). Ryukyu Shimpo. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
4. "Anti-U.S. base relocation bloc gains majority in Okinawa election". Nikkei Asian Review. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
5. Gavan McCormack (18 January 2016). "Battle Stations—Okinawa in 2016". The Asia-Pacific Journal. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
6. "Futenma, elections and autonomy". Japan Times. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
7. "Okinawa anti-base faction's election win puts governor in the driver's seat". Japan Times. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.