Naoki Otake 
In the Urasoe mayoral election in Okinawa Prefecture, incumbent Tetsuji Matsumoto secured his fourth term, celebrating with supporters. February 9, Urasoe City (©Sankei by Naoki Otake).
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On February 9, incumbent mayor Tetsuji Matsumoto won the Urasoe mayoral election in Okinawa. Both the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito backed the 57-year-old independent in the race. He defeated 67-year-old Akemi Satomichi, an independent newcomer and a civic group caretaker.
The central issue in the race was the planned relocation of the United States Naha military port from the heart of Naha City to Urasoe's western coastline.
At around 9:20 PM, as news of his projected victory reached his campaign office, cheers and applause erupted. Matsumoto, a proponent of the relocation, remarked, "This was a challenging election, as it was difficult to see just who was really backing my opponent was going to be. However, the citizens have given me a resounding mandate." He reaffirmed his dedication to leading a city government focused on improving the lives of its residents.
Satomichi, a leading figure in a civic organization dedicated to preserving the Urasoe western coastline, campaigned against the relocation. Additionally, he advocated for reforms in city administration. However, he was unable to secure enough support in the election.
Decline of the 'All Okinawa' Movement
On January 19, in the Miyakojima mayoral election, former deputy mayor Kazuto Kakazu was elected. As a result, none of the 11 mayors in Okinawa are affiliated with 'All Okinawa,' a movement that has traditionally supported Governor Denny Tamaki.
Further setbacks for the governor followed in the Okinawa mayoral election on January 26, where the candidate backed by All Okinawa also lost. In the Urasoe mayoral race, however, the All Okinawa movement did not even field a candidate. Internal divisions within Governor Tamaki's support base regarding the military port relocation from Futenma to Henoko in Nago City drove the decision.
Labeling it a "new military base," the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) and other opposition groups strongly oppose moving the US base to the port city. Governor Tamaki has adopted a more pragmatic approach. He has argued that "the Naha military port is located in a highly developable area. Its early return is essential for alleviating the military burden and fostering economic development."
Contradictions in Strategy
Nevertheless, All Okinawa maintains a unified opposition against the plan to relocate Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko. Its stance on the Naha military port relocation is much more ambiguous. One insider from All Okinawa acknowledged, "Deciding whether to support or oppose the relocation is a politically sensitive matter."
The Naha military port relocation plan dates back to 1974 when Japan and the US agreed on the facility's full return, contingent upon its relocation. In 1995, the Japan-US Joint Committee selected Henoko as the new site.
Negotiations between the Okinawa Prefectural Government and Nago City stalled for years. An agreement was finally reached in October 2022 between the Japanese Ministry of Defense and local authorities. By October 2023, plans to develop the new relocation site were officially confirmed.
Development Plans and Political Fallout
Currently, Naha military port occupies 56 hectares adjacent to Naha Airport, with plans for redevelopment of the vacated land after the relocation. Spanning approximately 49 hectares, the new Henoko site is being developed using a T-shaped land reclamation plan incorporating civilian port facilities.
Both the Okinawa Prefectural Government and Governor Tamaki consistently describe the Henoko relocation as the construction of a "new base." Yet they refrain from using the term "new military base" for the relocation. Instead, they argue that the move simply maintains existing functions without any expansion.
However, this inconsistency exposes contradictions in the Okinawa administration's policy and may further fracture the already weakening All Okinawa movement.
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Author: Naoki Otake, The Sankei Shimbun
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