Voters in 25 Okinawan cities, towns and villages went to the polls Sunday to elect assembly members ahead of the Sept. 30 gubernatorial race, including the closely watched match in Nago, where the results failed to deliver a clear verdict on a controversial U.S. military base.
Allies and opponents of Nago Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi each won 13 of the chamber's 26 seats. But that includes two seats won by candidates backed by Komeito, which has indicated support for Toguchi but opposition to an offshore facility to replace U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the city's Henoko district.
If Komeito's representatives officially oppose the Henoko relocation plan once the new assembly is convened, the anti-Henoko faction would command a majority with 15 seats.