A local mayor in southwestern Japan, who is opposed to having an island his city oversees become a site for U.S. military drills, won re-election on Sunday.

Shunsuke Yaita, the 67-year-old incumbent for Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, beat Kiyonobu Fukui, who was backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. His victory could impact the central government's plan to allow the uninhibited Mage Island to be used for U.S. military plane takeoff and landing exercises.

Shunsuke Yaita speaks to supporters Sunday in Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, after being re-elected as mayor of the city. | KYODO
Shunsuke Yaita speaks to supporters Sunday in Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, after being re-elected as mayor of the city. | KYODO