Koja Wins Votes from 30 Pct of Former Supporters of Tamaki: Exit Poll

Naha, Okinawa Pref., Sept. 14 (Jiji Press)–Genta Koja, who defeated incumbent Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki in Sunday’s gubernatorial election in the southern Japan prefecture, won votes from 33.2 pct of voters who supported Tamaki in the previous 2022 election, according to a Jiji Press exit poll. The exit poll, which received 621 valid responses, showed that Okinawa voters were most focused on the economy and employment, rather than the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma air station within the prefecture, which was their top priority in the 2022 election. The result suggests waning voter interest in preventing the relocation of the base from the city of Ginowan to the Henoko coastal area in the city of Nago, a policy pursued by Tamaki. The economy and employment were the top priority for 32.7 pct of respondents, followed by the base relocation for 26.1pct and child rearing, nursing and welfare for 22.5 pct. Defending the southwestern Japanese islands against China was cited by 3.9 pct, and the fatal boat accident off the Henoko area in March was chosen by 2.6 pct. Koja drew support from a wide range of voters, winning more support than Tamaki in all age groups from teenagers to those in their 60s. Age groups ranging from teenagers to those in their 50s prioritized the economy and employment. Koja won support from about 70 pct of voters in their teens to their 40s. Those in their 60s and older were most interested in the base relocation issue, and Tamaki garnered support from nearly 80 pct of voters who emphasized the issue. Koja gained support from over 80 pct of supporters each of the Liberal Democratic Party, the ruling party in national politics, Sanseito, Komeito and the Conservative Party of Japan. He was also backed by supporters of the Democratic Party for the People and the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner. Tamaki received support from 90 pct of supporters of the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, as well as 80 pct of supporters of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]