U.S. ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (front, R) and Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu (front, L) walk in Japan's westernmost area on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on May 17, 2024.

U.S. ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (C, R) chats with Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu (C, L) on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on May 17, 2024.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (L) and Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu smile in front of a monument indicating Japan's westernmost point on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on May 17, 2024.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (L) and Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu chat in front of a monument indicating Japan's westernmost point on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on May 17, 2024.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan visits Yonaguni Island

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (L) and Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu chat in front of a monument indicating Japan's westernmost point on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on May 17, 2024.

Taiwan's Legislative Speaker You in Japan

Taiwan's Legislative Speaker You in Japan

Taiwan's Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (L) and Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu in Japan's westernmost inhabited island of Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture on July 4, 2023.

1st U.N. indigenous peoples' conference

1st U.N. indigenous peoples' conference

NEW YORK, United States - Keiko Itokazu, a member of Japan's House of Councillors elected from Okinawa Prefecture, speaks at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2014, wearing a traditional outfit of Okinawa. Delegates for indigenous peoples from around the world, including Ainu and Okinawans from Japan, attended the first U.N.-backed conference of its kind to discuss measures aimed at ensuring their political representation and freedom from discrimination.

Giants take 2-1 lead over F's

Giants take 2-1 lead over F's

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters starter Keisaku Itokazu appears dispirited after allowing the Yomiuri Giants a go-ahead run in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the Japan Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 3, 2009. The Giants won 7-4 taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

Ruling camp-backed Nakaima wins Okinawa gubernatorial election

Ruling camp-backed Nakaima wins Okinawa gubernatorial election

NAHA, Japan - Hirokazu Nakaima (L), former Okinawa vice governor supported by Japan's ruling coalition, is congratulated by his daughter in Naha on Nov. 19 as he was sure to win the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election, defeating opposition-backed former House of Councillors member Keiko Itokazu.

Okinawa voters go to polls to pick new governor

Okinawa voters go to polls to pick new governor

NAHA, Japan - Keiko Itokazu, a former House of Councillors member supported by the opposition camp, casts her ballot along with her husband Takashi in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 19 in the election to choose the successor to outgoing Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine.

Ex-lawmaker, ex-power utility chief run for Okinawa governor

Ex-lawmaker, ex-power utility chief run for Okinawa governor

NAHA, Japan - Keiko Itokazu speaks during a street election campaign in Naha on Nov. 2 after filing her candidacy for the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election. Itokazu, former member of the House of Councillors, is supported by the opposition parties.

Okinawa Gov. candidate Itokazu declares bid

Okinawa Gov. candidate Itokazu declares bid

NAHA, Japan - House of Councillors member Keiko Itokazu declared her bid Oct. 1 to run as an opposition candidate in the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election, reiterating her objection to a central government plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station within the prefecture.

Okinawa Gov. candidate Itokazu declares bid

Okinawa Gov. candidate Itokazu declares bid

NAHA, Japan - House of Councillors member Keiko Itokazu declared her bid Oct. 1 to run as an opposition candidate in the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election, reiterating her objection to a central government plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station within the prefecture. (Kyodo)

Ex-lawmaker, ex-power utility chief run for Okinawa governor

Ex-lawmaker, ex-power utility chief run for Okinawa governor

NAHA, Japan - Keiko Itokazu speaks during a street election campaign in Naha on Nov. 2 after filing her candidacy for the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election. Itokazu, former member of the House of Councillors, is supported by the opposition parties. (Kyodo)

Okinawa voters go to polls to pick new governor

Okinawa voters go to polls to pick new governor

NAHA, Japan - Keiko Itokazu, a former House of Councillors member supported by the opposition camp, casts her ballot along with her husband Takashi in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Nov. 19 in the election to choose the successor to outgoing Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine. (Kyodo)

Ruling camp-backed Nakaima wins Okinawa gubernatorial election

Ruling camp-backed Nakaima wins Okinawa gubernatorial election

NAHA, Japan - Hirokazu Nakaima (L), former Okinawa vice governor supported by Japan's ruling coalition, is congratulated by his daughter in Naha on Nov. 19 as he was sure to win the Nov. 19 Okinawa gubernatorial election, defeating opposition-backed former House of Councillors member Keiko Itokazu. (Kyodo)

1st U.N. indigenous peoples' conference

1st U.N. indigenous peoples' conference

NEW YORK, United States - Keiko Itokazu, a member of Japan's House of Councillors elected from Okinawa Prefecture, speaks at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2014, wearing a traditional outfit of Okinawa. Delegates for indigenous peoples from around the world, including Ainu and Okinawans from Japan, attended the first U.N.-backed conference of its kind to discuss measures aimed at ensuring their political representation and freedom from discrimination. (Kyodo)

Weightlifting: Itokazu wins silver in men's 62 kg at worlds

Weightlifting: Itokazu wins silver in men's 62 kg at worlds

Yoichi Itokazu holds the bar above his head as he competes in the men's 62-kilogram division at the weightlifting world championships at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on Nov. 29, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Weightlifting: Itokazu wins silver in men's 62 kg at worlds

Weightlifting: Itokazu wins silver in men's 62 kg at worlds

Yoichi Itokazu holds the bar above his head as he competes in the men's 62-kilogram division at the weightlifting world championships at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on Nov. 29, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Giants take 2-1 lead over F's

Giants take 2-1 lead over F's

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Ham Fighters starter Keisaku Itokazu appears dispirited after allowing the Yomiuri Giants a go-ahead run in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the Japan Series at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 3, 2009. The Giants won 7-4 taking a 2-1 lead in the series. (Kyodo)