Voters in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa resoundingly rejected the construction of a new U.S. military base on their island. The U.S. military says its presence on the island is vital not only for the defense of Japan, but also for keeping peace in the region. “a vote against the Abe administration” for ignoring the popular will expressed in Tamaki’s victory. Opposition also attracted support from young voters normally seen as indifferent to politics, Maedomari said. A petition requesting that the White House respect the will of the Okinawan people has more than 210,000 signatures.