Official campaigning kicked off for the closely watched mayoral race in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sunday as the central government presses ahead with a divisive plan to move an unpopular U.S. Marine Corps base in Ginowan to the city.

The Feb. 4 election pits anti-base Mayor Susumu Inamine, 72, against challenger Taketoyo Toguchi, 56, who is backed by the Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito ruling coalition.

The outcome is expected to influence the Okinawa gubernatorial election in November, when Gov. Takeshi Onaga, another fierce opponent of the relocation plan, is expected to run for re-election.