Okinawa governor impeachment and election

On 13 July 2026 the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly adopted a historic resolution to impeach Governor Denny Tamaki (listed as Tamaki Denny), citing his handling of a scandal involving a shell corporation linked to the prefecture’s Washington office and the alleged misuse of about ¥1 billion in public funds. The assembly, dominated by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, described his conduct as an “extremely serious political and moral responsibility.” At the same time, Tamaki’s camp began re‑organising internal support ahead of the scheduled 2026 gubernatorial election, courting former lower‑house member Kunio Araki to coordinate supporters.

A week later, on 25 July 2026, the Okinawa governor and Naha mayor elections were held. Tamaki ran for re‑election, emphasizing a low‑profile stance despite lingering criticism over the unresolved Henoko relocation dispute and broader U.S. military base issues in the prefecture. His main rival, former Naha deputy mayor Genta Furusha, received backing from the Liberal Democratic Party. In the municipal race, incumbent mayor Kiyoshi Chinen secured endorsements from opposition parties and sought a second term. Both contests proceeded against the backdrop of ongoing controversy over U.S. base relocations, linking the impeachment episode to the broader electoral landscape.