In Chatan, All-Okinawa Coalition wins another major victory

The All-Okinawa Coalition opposed to the U.S. and Japanese military build up in the Luchu (Ryukyu) Islands has won another major political victory. Masashi Toguchi has won a landslide victory in the mayoral election in Chatan Town, where a large U.S. military presence exists. Toguchi is the chosen successor of long-time mayor Masaharu Noguni, who served four terms for a total of sixteen years. Despite being a young, first-time candidate Toguchi finished well-ahead of the other candidates, including Hiroshi Ahagon, backed by Japan's Liberal Democratic Party.