Tamaki Likely to Declare Bid for Okinawa Governor on Sun.

August 24, 2018

Naha, Okinawa Pref.- Denny Tamaki, a House of Representatives lawmaker of the opposition Liberal Party, is expected to announce his bid to run for governor of Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Sunday, informed sources said Thursday.

On Thursday, Tamaki received a formal request to run in the Sept. 30 gubernatorial poll from the so-called All Okinawa camp opposing the planned construction of a new U.S. military base in the Henoko coastal area of Nago in the prefecture.

"I'm considering it seriously and positively," Tamaki told reporters. "I aim to announce my decision as soon as possible."

He is expected to decide to accept the offer, following a meeting with supporters on Sunday, according to the sources.

Tamaki is said to be one of two figures named by the late Governor Takeshi Onaga as his preferred candidates to succeed him, in a voice recording made before he died of cancer on Aug. 8.

The other person, local businessman Morimasa Goya, has told the All Okinawa camp that he does not intend to run for governorship but will support Tamaki.

Although some members of the prefectural assembly are questioning the authenticity of the voice recording, which has not been made public, the anti-U.S. base camp on Thursday confirmed it plans to field Tamaki in the election.

Meanwhile, Atsushi Sakima, former mayor of Ginowan in Okinawa, is set to run in the governorship race with support from the ruling coalition. Jiji Press