2002 Okinawa gubernatorial election

A gubernatorial election was held on 17 November 2002 to elect the Governor of Okinawa (山口県), who is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan.

Candidates

 * Keiichi Inamine, 69, incumbent (elected in 1998), backed by LDP, NK and NCP.
 * Masanori Yoshimoto, 65, former vice governor of Okinawa prefecture, endorsed by DPJ, SDP, OSMP, LP.
 * Shigenobu Araki, 60, president of Okinawa Prefecture Medical Co-op, chairman of the local chapter of JCP.
 * Mitsuo Matayoshi, 54, a conservative Protestant preacher. He led his own party, the World Economic Community Party.

Results
This is the first time that the JCP has presented a candidate of its own, outside the opposition alliance.