Incumbent Mayor Toguchi Taketoyo of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture has secured his re-election in Sunday's vote, supported by ruling parties.

The mayoral race comes as the central and prefectural governments remain locked in a standoff over the planned relocation of US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to the city.

Toguchi, supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, garnered 19,524 votes. His rival and newcomer Kishimoto Yohei got 14,439 votes.

The voter turnout was 68.32 percent, down 8.6 points from the previous election, and the lowest-ever.

Kishimoto, supported by opposition parties and backed by Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny, called for the cancellation of the relocation plan.

60-year-old Toguchi was born in Nago and was first elected as mayor in 2018 after serving in the city's assembly.

During the campaign, Toguchi did not state whether he was for or against the planned relocation. He instead said he would wait and see how the rift between the central and prefectural governments pans out.

Toguchi also underlined his achievements during his first term, such as realizing free school meals and free medical services for children.

After the election, Toguchi said he thinks his governance over the past four years, including child support measures, has been appreciated by voters.

He noted that since there have been lawsuits filed by the central and prefectural governments over the relocation plan, he as mayor, had no choice but to wait and see how things will develop.

LDP Secretary-General Motegi Toshimitsu spoke to reporters and described the election result as "big win."

He noted that the Nago mayoral race is the first in a series of elections scheduled for this year, including the Upper House election this summer, and the gubernatorial election in Okinawa in autumn. Motegi said his party has gotten off to a good start in the election year.

Motegi said he thinks the central administration's current high approval ratings helped Toguchi win the election. He added that a sense of discomfort about the rival camp working with the Japanese Communist Party may have been widely shared among voters.

Okinawa Governor Tamaki said it is regrettable that he and his supporters failed to help Kishimoto win, adding that there may be some supporters of Toguchi who oppose the relocation plan. The governor said the election outcome has not at all affected his determination to oppose the plan.