Genta Koja, the candidate backed by Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, defeated two-term incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki in Sunday's Okinawa gubernatorial election. Koja secured approximately 59 percent of the vote according to projections from NHK and other outlets, ending 12 years of opposition control in the strategically vital prefecture.

The 42-year-old former Naha vice mayor becomes the first LDP-endorsed winner in the race since 2010 and the first Okinawa governor born after the prefecture's 1972 reversion to Japanese sovereignty. Koja received endorsements from the LDP, the Japan Innovation Party, the Democratic Party for the People, Sanseito, the Conservative Party of Japan, and Komeito's Okinawa chapter.

Tamaki, 66, who sought a third term, was supported by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party, and the Social Democratic Party. He conceded the race and said he would respect the voters' decision.

The campaign centered on the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago and efforts to strengthen the local economy amid rising prices. Koja supports the base relocation plan, a position aligned with the national government.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had backed Koja in the contest. His victory provides momentum for her administration's push to expand Japan's military capabilities in response to regional threats from China. The result is expected to ease obstacles to the Henoko project and facilitate greater military use of civilian facilities in Okinawa, which hosts the majority of U.S. bases in Japan.

Voter turnout reached 29.65 percent by early evening, an increase from the prior election. Four other candidates also competed but trailed significantly.

The outcome serves as an early indicator ahead of Japan's unified local elections next spring and strengthens the ruling coalition's position in a key region for national security policy.