NAHA, Okinawa Pref. (Kyodo) Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima announced he will seek a second four-year term during a meeting with supporters, saying he wants to continue doing his job "a while longer."
The 71-year-old governor cited quickly resolving the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan as the most important issue in the election, scheduled for Nov. 28.
His opponent will be Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha, 58, who has already declared his clear opposition to relocating the base within the prefecture.
"I will find a solution that meets the expectations of the people in Okinawa and will do so as soon as possible," Nakaima told his supporters Wednesday, adding that tangible progress must be made on lessening the burden on the people regarding other bases in Okinawa as well.
Despite an agreement between Japan and the United States to build a new air base within the prefecture and move Futenma's functions there, many people in Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, oppose the plan.