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The Okinawans went to the polls Sunday to choose a governor in an election that should depend on voters' opinion of the US military presence in the southwestern islands of Japan.
The race between four candidates is tight between two candidates: a virulent critic of the US military presence and a candidate backed by the ruling party that pushes the status quo.
The winner succeeds Takeshi Onaga, who died in August of pancreatic cancer. He wanted the bases of Okinawa.
Lawmaker Denny Tamaki is committed to continuing with Onaga 's "spirit. Atsushi Sakima, a mayor, wants to work with the national government to solve the problem.
Okinawa is home to about two-thirds of the more than 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan under a bilateral security treaty. Some have long argued that this arrangement constitutes an unfair burden on Okinawa, which represents less than 1% of Japan's land space.
Japan remains heavily dependent on the United States for its defense, but crimes committed by members of the military, including crimes of murder and rape, have outraged the Okinawa population. They are also dissatisfied with noise and the dangers of aircraft accidents.
Yet, over the decades, many people's livelihoods have become linked to American troops.
Tamaki, whose mother is Japanese and whose father is an American sailor whom he has never met, has often said that he is a symbol of the plight of his people.
"I can clearly state that we no longer want to Okinawa American bases that destroy our peace and our nature," said Tamaki, 58, during his campaign.
He promised policies that consider the "weak", helping workers, students and the discriminated against.
Prior to running for governor, Sakima, 54, was mayor of Ginowan, home of the Marines Air Base called Futenma.
Futenma is at the center of the controversy surrounding the plan to transfer US troops from the government to the less populated Henoko units in Nago, Okinawa.
The planning dates back to the rape of a 1995 schoolgirl, in which three US servicemen were sentenced. But the planning and construction of Henoko have been delayed many times due to local opposition to the basics.
Some also point to the threat that basic construction, which includes a landfill, may represent for the environment, including for a coral reef, a dugong and other forms of marine life.
Sakima, who is backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said he would work with the national government to downplay the US military presence, particularly by closing Futenma.
"I will work to cope with the reduction of US troops we have been wanting for so long," he said. "If I become governor, I will do my best so that we can understand the people about the Henoko problem."
Both candidates promise to revive Okinawa, taking advantage of its cultural resources and its rich potential as a resort destination.
Outside of Okinawa, the national government as well as the public opinion seem to support the strengthening of Japan's security measures in the face of North Korea's nuclear threats and China's growing military power. The administration of US President Donald Trump has also pushed Japan to do more to defend itself.
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