His victory was part of a wave against the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Okinawa caused by local anger over by a joint US-Japan decision to relocate a marine base to a residential area. LDP candidates lost all four Okinawan seats despite the party winning nationwide. In the 2017 general election, Akamine retained his seat.
His victory was part of a larger backlash against the Liberal Democratic Party in Okinawa, triggered by local indignation over a joint US-Japan decision to relocate a military base into a residential neighborhood. LDP candidates lost all four Okinawan seats despite winning nationwide. In the 2017 general election, Akamine successfully defended his seat.