U.S. base relocation is a key issue as the Okinawa governor's campaign gets underway

Candidates sponsored by the government and opposition parties are likely to spar over the divisive and protracted subject of the relocation of a significant U.S. Marine Corps installation within the southern island prefecture as the Okinawa governor election campaigning got underway on Thursday.

The crucial tourist sector is also a major focus of the election on September 11, since the Okinawan economy has been severely harmed by tra....