Genta Koja (born 23 October 1983) is a Japanese politician who serves as Governor of Okinawa Prefecture. Born in Naha, he studied pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Tokyo, worked for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and later moved into consulting. He entered electoral politics in 2022 and was elected governor in 2026.
Early career
Koja graduated from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Tokyo and began graduate study there before leaving the program. In 2008 he joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, where he was seconded to posts including the Nagasaki Prefectural Government. He resigned from the ministry in 2020 and joined NTT Data Institute of Management Consulting, working on human-centered urban development using information and communications technology and on training programs for startup founders in Okinawa.
Path to governorship
Koja ran as a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in the Okinawa at-large district of the 2022 House of Councillors election, narrowly losing to the incumbent Yōichi Iha. He then became Deputy Mayor of Naha City in December 2022. In 2026 he resigned that post to contest the gubernatorial election, backed by economic and conservative organizations. After a conservative rival withdrew, he defeated the incumbent Denny Tamaki by a large margin and became the first governor born after the end of U.S. occupation in 1972.