Anti-U.S. military base mayor loses in Okinawa election

An independent newcomer backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government defeated the anti-U.S. base incumbent in the Nago mayoral election Sunday, an outcome which could give impetus to the central government's controversial plan to transfer an air base to the southern Japan city.Taketoyo Toguchi's victory in a two-man race against Susumu Inamine is also expected to deliver a blow to the anti-base campaign of Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga whose term will expire in late 2018.Toguchi, a 56-year-old former Nago city assembly member known to be supportive of the base transfer, sought to divert vo…READ FULL ARTICLE