Kunio Arakaki of the Social Democratic Party wins election to House of Representatives

Newcomer Kunio Arakaki of the Social Democratic Party has been elected to the House of Representatives for Okinawa District 2. This is another major victory for the All-Okinawa Coalition, which opposes the construction of the U.S. military base at Henoko, Okinawa. Arakaki is a newcomer in the race for the House of Representatives. He previously served as mayor of Kitanakagusuku Village. 

Arakaki secured the victory over Masahisa Miyazaki, backed by Japan's wealthy Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which heavily oppresses Uchinanchu (Indigenous Okinawans). The LDP supports the illegal U.S. and Japanese military occupation of Luchu / Okinawa. 

Arakaki is the successor of Kantoku Teruya, a long-time Okinawan Congressional Representative and independence supporter, who recently retired.