# Genta Koja wins Okinawa gubernatorial election > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/okinawa-governor-impeachment-and-election > Updated: 2026-09-13T11:42:04.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 12. The Okinawa gubernatorial election concluded on 13 September 2026, with newcomer Genta Koja defeating incumbent Denny Tamaki. Koja, a 42-year-old former deputy mayor of Naha, becomes the youngest governor in the prefecture’s history since Okinawa’s reversion to Japan and the first governor born after that reversion. Koja’s victory, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and the Democratic Party for the People, marks a significant political shift. It ends the 12-year era of the ‘All Okinawa’ administration led by Tamaki. While Tamaki campaigned on social welfare expansions—such as zero school lunch and medical costs for students—and opposed the relocation of the U.S. Futenma airbase to Henoko, Koja focused on economic revitalization and doubling prefectural income. On the critical issue of military facilities, Koja supports the Henoko relocation but has called on the Japanese and U.S. governments to expedite the return of other military sites. This marks a departure from Tamaki’s stance of opposing the move. The election was characterized by high engagement, with early voting reaching approximately 23.26 percent of eligible voters, and ongoing concerns regarding the impact of digital disinformation and ‘cognitive warfare’ on the democratic process. ## Claims - Incumbent Denny Tamaki is running for a third term. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Okinawa gubernatorial election will be officially announced on August 27, with voting on September 13. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Mikio Shimoji withdrew his candidacy for the Okinawa gubernatorial election. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Genta Koja proposes doubling the per capita prefectural income to over 5 million yen within 10 years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The relocation of the US military Futenma airbase to Henoko in Nago City is a major issue. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Shimoji reached a policy agreement with the Liberal Democratic Party before withdrawing. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Genta Koja is endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party and several other parties. (corroborated by 2 sources) - 273,584 people completed early voting by September 11. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Six candidates have officially registered for the Okinawa gubernatorial election. (single source) - Genta Koja pledges to create profitable industries and increase the income of Okinawa residents. (single source) - Genta Koja intends to stop portraying the central government as a villain to achieve progress. (single source) - Denny Tamaki opposes the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma air station to Henoko. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Genta Koja wins Okinawa gubernatorial election Newcomer Genta Koja has won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, defeating incumbent Denny Tamaki. Koja supports the Henoko base relocation and focuses on economic growth. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/genta-koja-wins-okinawa-gubernatorial-election ### 2026-09-11: Okinawa gubernatorial election enters final voting phase The Okinawa gubernatorial election enters its final phase on September 13, featuring a major contest between incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Genta Koja over economic policy and military base issues. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-enters-final-stage-as-takaichi-may-skip-campaign-visit ### 2026-09-05: Okinawa gubernatorial election enters head-to-head race The Okinawa gubernatorial election is a head-to-head race between incumbent Denny Tamaki and challenger Genta Koja, centered on economic policy and the controversial Henoko military relocation. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-faces-disinformation-concerns ### 2026-08-26: Okinawa gubernatorial election announced with record six candidates Six candidates have filed to run in the Okinawa gubernatorial election, with the main contest focusing on the Henoko base relocation issue between incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Genta Koja. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-begins-with-six-candidates ### 2026-08-24: Okinawa gubernatorial election begins with six candidates The Okinawa gubernatorial election has launched with six candidates, primarily featuring incumbent Denny Tamaki and newcomer Genta Koja in a contest over economic policy and U.S. base relocation. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-becomes-two-way-race-after-shimoji-withdraws ### 2026-08-23: Denny Tamaki faces election law violation allegations in Okinawa Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki faces allegations of violating the Public Offices Election Act after urging supporters to secure votes before the official election period began. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-governor-denny-tamaki-faces-election-law-violation-allegations ### 2026-08-18: Okinawa gubernatorial election to feature record seven candidates A record seven candidates are expected to run in the Okinawa gubernatorial election, focusing on economic policy and the controversial Henoko military base relocation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-to-feature-record-seven-candidates ### 2026-08-08: Okinawa gubernatorial election candidates focus on base issues and welfare The Okinawa gubernatorial election features incumbent Denny Tamaki against newcomers Gen Ta Kosha and Mikio Shimoji, with debates focusing on military base issues, transportation, and welfare. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-candidates-focus-on-base-issues-and-welfare ### 2026-08-06: Okinawa Governor Election Attracts New Candidates LDP and Japan Innovation Party back former Naha deputy mayor Genta Koshah for Okinawa governor, while 73‑year‑old businessman Masahiro Sueyoshi launches an independent campaign focusing on welfare. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-governor-election-attracts-new-candidates ### 2026-07-29: Okinawa Gubernatorial Election Draws First Candidate Debate Okinawa’s 2026 governor race sees incumbent Denny Tamaki, newcomer Koja Gen‑Taro and ex‑minister Shimochi Mikiro debate together; Koja faces Komeito’s tentative backing amid a possible prime‑ministerial visit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-gubernatorial-election-draws-first-candidate-debate ### 2026-07-25: Okinawa Governor and Naha Mayor Elections Held Amid Local Political Tensions Okinawa's governor race pits incumbent Denny Tamaki against LDP‑backed Genta Furusha amid the Henoko dispute, while Naha mayor Kiyoshi Chinen secures SDP and CDP endorsements for re‑election. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-governor-and-naha-mayor-elections-held-amid-local-political-tensions ### 2026-07-13: Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny faces impeachment vote as election allies rally Okinawa’s assembly voted to impeach Governor Tamaki Denny over a disputed U.S. office scandal, while his camp seeks internal unity ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/okinawa-governor-tamaki-denny-faces-impeachment-vote-as-election-allies-rally --- Cite as: Genta Koja wins Okinawa gubernatorial election. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/okinawa-governor-impeachment-and-election