Takeshi Sato defeats two - term incumbent in Okinawa 's gubernatorial race . Onaga wants the military base there closed , not just relocated . It took 17 years for the approval of plans to relocate a controversial U.S. military base in Japan , and now it appears those plans wo n't happen after all . The current government approved relocation plans last year after two years of debate . Crimes by U.S. military personnel have made the base controversial .
Takeshi Sato defeats two - term incumbent in Okinawa 's gubernatorial race . Onaga wants the military base there closed , not just relocated . The current government approved relocation plans last year after two years of debate . Crimes by U.S. military personnel have made the base controversial .