Mayoral Vote May Upset Us Drill Relocation
A mayor in southwestern Japan who opposes a plan to host US military exercises in his city has won another term, dealing a potential setback to the central government's plan to relocate the drills.
Yaita Shunsuke won the election in Nishinoomote City in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday.
Yaita had 5,103 votes, while a newcomer who was in favor of relocating the drills and backed by the main governing Liberal Democratic Party had 4,959 votes.
The Defense Ministry plans to build a Self-Defense Force facility on Mageshima Island, a tiny uninhabited island the city oversees. Officials aim to relocate US landing exercises there from the Pacific island of Ioto, also known as Iwojima.
The US has been pressing Japan to build another training site, saying the remote location of Ioto Island presents safety hazards for personnel.
Yaita says the election result shows that citizens are against the relocation. He also said he will discuss the issue with the government to find a solution.
Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo told reporters on Monday that he won't comment on the outcome of a local election.
Kishi said defending the country's southwestern region is a crucial mission for the SDF and that US forces stationed in the country need to conduct exercises. He said the ministry will continue making its case to local residents.
The ministry plans to conduct a survey on the impact the construction project could have on the environment.