In a setback for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, state minister for Okinawa affairs Aiko Shimajiri lost her Upper House seat to a challenger backed by the prefectural governor and a coalition of activists opposed to U.S. bases there.
She was ousted by former Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha, 64, who campaigned on a platform of opposition to moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago.
"It's a knockout win over the Okinawan minister and, therefore, a knockout for the Abe administration," Iha told supporters after the election.