NAHA, OKINAWA PREF.- Toshio Shimabukuro, an independent supported by Japan's ruling coalition, won his third term as mayor of Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, in an election on Sunday.

Shimabukuro, 64, defeated Sueko Yamauchi, an independent and former prefectural assembly member backed by Takeshi Onaga, governor of the southern Japan prefecture.

The outcome is expected to help the Japanese government and ruling camp promote the relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma air station in Ginowan, Okinawa, to Nago in the same prefecture, a project strongly opposed by Onaga.

Shimabukuro won the reelection by touting the achievements made during his tenure. (Jiji Press)