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Okinawa’s Nanjō Mayor Ousted After Second No-Confidence Vote Despite Resignation Letter

Councilors chose a fresh censure over his late resignation letter, prompting removal from office and a rapid mayoral election timeline.

Overview

  • The Nanjō city assembly approved a no-confidence motion 18–0 with two members leaving the chamber, removing Mayor Keishun Koja on November 17.
  • Koja had submitted a resignation letter dated November 16, which the assembly acknowledged but declined to take up as an agenda item before voting.
  • Deputy Mayor Takao Toma will serve as acting mayor until voters choose a successor.
  • Under election law, a mayoral vote must be held within 50 days of the resignation or removal, pointing to an election by roughly January 6, with the city’s election board setting the date.
  • A third-party city panel in May confirmed sexual and power harassment against staff and urged Koja to resign, following nine complaints detailed in a council survey.