Okinawan politicians should cooperate regardless of their party affiliation, according to Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine. The governor was commenting the results of Sunday’s parliamentary elections. “We have plenty of problems in Okinawa that cannot be resolved by us alone. We need help and resources that the central government can provide,” Inamine said. In one of the biggest surprises, Kousuke Uehara, a ten-term parliamentarian lost his seat. Many commentators say that he lost his seat because he changed his party affiliation during his term and his voters turned their backs to him. Most are thought to have cast their votes to Michiko Tomon, who now begins her first term.
