Key Facts
The mayoral election for Zamami Village, Okinawa, is being held today, May 18, following the completion of the current term. Two candidates are running for the position: Ken Miyahira, a 66-year-old independent and former municipal employee, and Satoru Miyazato, the 57-year-old incumbent seeking his fifth term, supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
The vote counting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM, with the results expected to be announced around 10:00 PM. The total number of eligible voters in the village is 679, comprising 378 men and 301 women. As of May 17, 263 voters, or 38.73% of the electorate, had already cast their ballots through early voting.
Ken Miyahira was born on January 29, 1959, in Zamami Village. He graduated from Okinawa International University and initially worked in the tourism industry. In 1988, he joined the village office, where he served until his retirement in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, he held the position of district head for Zamami. Currently, he operates a lodging business.
Satoru Miyazato, born on August 22, 1967, is also a native of Zamami Village. He graduated from Daiichi University of Economics and began working at the village office in 1994. Miyazato was first elected mayor in 2009 and has since served four consecutive terms. He has also held leadership roles in various regional organizations, including the Okinawa Prefecture Remote Island Promotion Council, the Prefecture Depopulated Area Promotion Council, and the Southern Municipalities Association.
For more details, visit the Okinawa Times article.
The mayoral election in Zamami Village, Okinawa, is taking place today, May 18, following the end of the current term. Two candidates are vying for the position: Ken Miyahira, a 66-year-old independent and former municipal employee, and Satoru Miyazato, the 57-year-old incumbent seeking his fifth term, backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
The village has 679 eligible voters, consisting of 378 men and 301 women. As of May 17, 263 voters, or 38.73% of the electorate, had participated in early voting. Ballot counting will begin at 8:00 PM, with results expected around 10:00 PM.
Ken Miyahira, born on January 29, 1959, in Zamami Village, graduated from Okinawa International University and worked in tourism before joining the village office in 1988. He retired in 2016 and later served as district head.
Satoru Miyazato, born on August 22, 1967, also from Zamami, graduated from Daiichi University of Economics. He has been mayor since 2009 and holds leadership roles in regional organizations.
For more details, visit the Okinawa Times article.
