Okinawa Gov. Onaga undergoes pancreatic tumor operation

April 23, 2018

Naha, Okinawa Pref.- The Okinawa prefectural government said Monday that Governor Takeshi Onaga has undergone an operation to remove pancreatic tumor.

Findings on whether the tumor was benign or malignant are expected to be available in two weeks.

Onaga, 67, said that he will work hard on rehabilitation in order to return to work as early as possible.

According to the prefecture, Onaga is already able to leave his bed, talk and walk, after the surgery on Saturday.

It is uncertain when he will be able to return to work. Patients undergoing similar surgeries usually need four to five weeks until they leave hospital.

A tumor of two to three centimeters was discovered earlier this month during a reexamination following a comprehensive medical checkup.

Onaga opposes the central government's plan to relocate the US Marine Corps' Futenma air station in the densely populated Okinawa city of Ginowan to the Henoko coastal district in Nago, another city in the southernmost prefecture.

Onaga has yet to clarify whether he will run in the gubernatorial election slated for autumn. Jiji Press