Nipponica

Uechi, 61, who was elected mayor of the westernmost Japan town for the first time in Sunday's election, has shown understanding of the deployment of Self-Defense Forces in the town but takes a cautious stance on expanding defense capabilities further.

In 2016, the government opened the Ground SDF's Camp Yonaguni in the town to enhance the defense system for the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan. A missile unit is planned for future deployment.

Going to both sides this one as Yonaguni is literally on the front line of a future China-Taiwan conflict and increasing national defense there is an obvious goal. But it is the same old story in Okinawa, more guns and no peace.