In a move that could further complicate efforts by the central government to move the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan to Henoko in northern Okinawa, Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, 63, has suggested he will run for run for governor in November.

Despite being a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, Onaga, along with 11 other LDP members in the Naha Municipal Assembly, oppose moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago.

On Thursday, Naha's LDP members, who form the largest faction in the Naha assembly, announced they would back Onaga, saying that the majority of Okinawans oppose the long-stalled Henoko relocation plan.