Okinawa Governor Asks Kishida To Give Up Futenma Base Relocation
The governor of the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, Tamaki Denny, has called on Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to abandon a plan to move a US base in the prefecture.
Tamaki handed a document containing proposals from Okinawa to Kishida in Tokyo on Tuesday.
This comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan from US rule on May 15. Before the reversion, the local government in Okinawa also compiled a set of proposals for the central government.
The new document says the prefecture and the central government shared the goal of making Okinawa islands of peace at the time of the reversion, but that the goal has still not been achieved.
The document calls on Tokyo to cancel the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in the prefecture. It also calls for a fundamental review of the status of forces agreement between Japan and the US.
Kishida said his government takes the proposals seriously and will continue working to reduce Okinawa's burden of hosting US bases and to raise residents' income.
Tamaki told reporters after the meeting that reducing the burden of hosting US bases will no doubt lead to the development of Okinawa. He also said he hopes Prime Minister Kishida will squarely face the wishes of Okinawa.