Candidates opposed to the planned replacement base in Nago for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma held onto their majority in the Nago Municipal Assembly following Sunday's election, clouding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hopes to achieve the long-stalled transfer within Okinawa.

In the closely watched race seen as a prelude to the Okinawa gubernatorial election on Nov. 16, candidates opposed to the relocation won 16 seats in the 27-member assembly, while 11 were taken by supporters of the plan.

Among the 35 candidates running, 16 backed the new replacement facility in Nago for the Futenma base, which is now in the crowded city of Ginowan, while 19 were opposed.