CHATAN – In the Chatan mayoral election held on Nov. 21, Toguchi Masashi (42 years old), an independent rookie candidate and former town assembly member backed by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Socialist Party of Japan, Okinawa Socialist Mass Party, Japanese Communist Party, and Atarashii Kaze/Ninufabushi was elected to office for the first time, defeating Ahagon Hiroshi, an independent rookie candidate and former town assembly member backed by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party, by a margin of 2,104 votes. Toguchi will succeed Noguni Masaharu, who served four four-year terms. (Abridged)