| Country: | Japan |
| Type: | parliamentary |
| Previous Election: | 2012 Okinawa prefectural election |
| Previous Year: | 2012 |
| Next Election: | 2020 Okinawa prefectural election |
| Next Year: | 2020 |
| Seats For Election: | All 48 seats in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly |
| Majority Seats: | 25 |
| Election Date: | 5 June 2016 |
| Turnout: | 53.31% |
| Party1: | Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) |
| Alliance1: | Parliamentary opposition |
| Last Election1: | 13 seats |
| Seats Before1: | 13 |
| Seats After1: | 14 |
| Seat Change1: | 1 |
| Party2: | Social Democratic Party (Japan) |
| Alliance2: | Government |
| Last Election2: | 5 seats |
| Seats Before2: | 5 |
| Seats After2: | 6 |
| Seat Change2: | 1 |
| Party3: | Japanese Communist Party |
| Alliance3: | Government |
| Last Election3: | 5 seats |
| Seats Before3: | 5 |
| Seats After3: | 6 |
| Seat Change3: | 1 |
| Party4: | Komeito |
| Alliance4: | Neutral (politics) |
| Last Election4: | 4 seats |
| Seats Before4: | 4 |
| Seats After4: | 4 |
| Party5: | Okinawa Social Mass Party |
| Alliance5: | Government |
| Last Election5: | 2 seats |
| Seats Before5: | 2 |
| Seats After5: | 3 |
| Seat Change5: | 1 |
| Party6: | Initiatives from Osaka |
| Alliance6: | Neutral (politics) |
| Last Election6: | 2 seats |
| Seats Before6: | 2 |
| Seats After6: | 2 |
Prefectural Assembly elections were held in Okinawa Prefecture on 5 June 2016. The election resulted in victory to the camp supporting Governor Takeshi Onaga who won 27 seats, up from 24 seats before the election. 53.31% turned out in the election, an increase of 0.82% from the historic low turnout in 2012.[1] [2] [3] [4]
This election is viewed as crucial to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government plan to relocate the Futenma Air Base in Ginowan to Henoko. Governor Takeshi Onaga's camp, which opposes the relocation plan, had 24 seats going into the election.[5] [6]
The results is interpreted as a sign of growing opposition against the Henoko move, especially after the murder case involving a US base worker several weeks before the election. There is a renewed push to review the Status of Forces Agreement between the Japanese and American governments, in place since 1960.
The battle for the Okinawa seat in the House of Councillors election in July will be closely watched. The incumbent, Minister for Okinawa Affairs Aiko Shimajiri is expected to face a tough fight against the former mayor of Ginowan Yoichi Iha. The large anti-base rally planned on 19 June can become an indicator of the local voters mood going into 10 July.[7]