In an election under intense scrutiny in both Tokyo and Washington, Okinawan voters head to the polls Sunday to choose a new governor.
The long-anticipated election is widely viewed as the final referendum on whether the political will exists in Okinawa to accept construction of a replacement facility for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture.
The facility, currently located in the city of Ginowan, central Okinawa, has been the subject of long-standing protests over its planned relocation to the Henoko district of Nago farther north on the island.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.