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© Compiled from wire reportsNakaima reelected Okinawa governor; voter turnout 60.88%
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© Compiled from wire reports
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smithinjapan
Vote for whatever you want, people.... regardless of who wins the bases will stay -- and that's to you benefit. Next time you see an American soldier, try to thank him.
taijing
It's the first time I ever see this word "gubernatorial". I guess it is derived from the word "govern" and from the French word "gouverner".
Okinawamike
Not neck and neck anymore. Looks like Old Naka won.
vulcan
Okinawamike, really?
Ah_so
"Of or pertaining to a governor."
the_sicilian
Okinawa Times is reporting Nakaima is winning, with a good percentage of precincts reporting in (over 70%). He leads by 30,000 votes and has held steady.
tokyonovice
Which means 40% are quite content with their island paradise.
smithinjapan
‘‘The accord was struck without consultations with us and we have not been provided with convincing explanations,’’
You'd think all the 'activity' involving China and NK in the past couple of months is 'explanation' enough, but people like this guy are in serious denial for the sake of political points.
vulcan
Nakaima was smart to become "Iha" in effect and harden his stance toward the Schwab relocation. He was hard, but hinted that "he had a price" then to get reelected hardened up. Both are anti base candidates and now one is even more anti base than he started out to be.
vulcan
tokyonovice, if that makes you feel good to feel that way, but if you know Okinawans, they are living in dispair and have lived that way for decades. They know it won't matter because the USA and Japan will do what they want, despite democracy.
Schopenhauer
Nakaima's victory tells what Okinawans really think. They know they cannot get rid of U.S. Forces and need Japanese money to be floating.
whiskeysour
The base and the marines will move to Guam around 2014.
I agree with the Okinawa government- ONLY the U.S. Marines & U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station will move.
Kadena will stay and the pretty golf courses will stay also !!!!!
tokyonovice
So much so that 40% of eligible voters don't bother? They are quite happy with their better-than-Hawaii style shirts, living two minutes from the beach, and eating a lot of goya safely protected by and benefiting from the U.S. presence.
Gurukun
I bet alot of those voters are mainlanders that know nothing about Okinawa's history.
tokyonovice
What history would that be? If you're referrring to the last century it is well documented in every history school book. If you're referring to 400 years ago when Japan stole the place from the Ryukyu kingdom, then you might be on to something.
nath
nobody cares about Okinawa and the small voter block there. Japanese politicians are starting to wise up and treat Okinawa as a small far away island with little influence on domestic policy or concerns. As Hatoyama found out, pinning your political hopes on a small non-influencial territory like Okinawa is a death sentence for your political career.
Happiness Realization Party? You are kidding me right?
bigmouth
yes,thats good news.Get the Americans packing.They can host their base in Guam or Hawaii or that little island that offered them space .
Gurukun
Exactly! All these mainlanders think about is the slow paced, sun filled, emerald waters around the island. There is a sence of deepness being 'Uchina'..something you cant learn from reading textbooks.
the_sicilian
Gurukun: Exactly. And aren't quite a few of the protesters flown in from mainland? Heh.
Tokyo: How about 3 years ago when the Tokyo government wanted to whitewash history by having textbooks changed? Nakaima showed up at that rally in Ginowan, 100,000 strong, to protest. Yeah, mainlanders get it. NOT.
This vote means Nakaima will discuss this with Tokyo and get it done. Then some changes and reductions can happen.
Okinawamike
This vote means Nakaima will discuss this with Tokyo and get it done. Then some changes and reductions can happen.
And you think this will happen before the next reelection?
Two words: buuhhaaaaa.