Atsushi Sakima, a candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, has won the mayoral election in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture.
In Sunday's election, Sakima, a 60-year-old former Ginowan mayor, defeated Isao Tobaru, a 65-year-old former member of the Ginowan assembly, and corporate representative Takashi Higa, 47.
Tobaru was endorsed by three parties in the opposition camp — the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.