Naha, Okinawa Pref. – With only a month left to go until the Sept. 13 Okinawa gubernatorial election, neither of the two main potential candidates has been able to secure a decisive lead in the closely watched race for the leader of the southernmost Japan prefecture.

The election will effectively be a one-on-one battle between incumbent Gov. Denny Tamaki, 66, who is gunning for a third term, and Genta Koja, 42, former deputy mayor of the prefectural capital of Naha who is backed by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Amid waning focus on key points of contention in the election, both Tamaki and Koja are emphasizing their efforts to boost benefits for the people of Okinawa, in hopes to expand support among unaffiliated voters.