Naha mayoral election duel shows cracks forming in All Okinawa group

Naha mayoral candidate Satoru Chinen, left, acknowledges supporters alongside Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma during a rally to kick off his campaign in Naha on Sunday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

NAHA -- The race to decide the next mayor of Okinawa's capital comes down to a head-to-head showdown between a former prefectural assembly member supported by the All Okinawa group and Naha's former deputy mayor backed by the national ruling coalition.

Campaigning to become Naha mayor formally kicked off Sunday for the election scheduled to take place Oct. 23.