Japan works to move US air base on Okinawa despite protests

Kazuhiko Yamashita/Kyodo News via AP

Japan works to move US air base on Okinawa despite protests - Japan resumed construction  work   required to  relocate  a great  U.S. air base  coming from   single   location   of  Okinawa's main island  for you to  another  in  Thursday, overriding vigorous protests  by  local residents.

The land reclamation  function   in  Henoko Bay came  Just like  police dragged away opponents  of your  plan  that  were seeking  to be able to  block  entry   for the  area. Protesters  also  heckled  staff members   coming from  canoes offshore.

Local  residents  object  to be able to  living nearby U.S. Marine Air Station Futenma  AND  want  your current  base moved out  involving  Okinawa. Current plans  demand   shipping   This   to help   a  less  developed   place   to the  island called Henoko.

The central government  in  Tokyo contends  how the   work   Just in case   be   accomplished   As soon as  possible  to be able to  alleviate worries  over   safety   in the  air base,  that is to be  surrounded  by  homes, schools  and also other  civilian facilities.

The central government had suspended  the   function   with  August  to help   give   date   intended for  talks  at   an  compromise. Okinawa's governor revoked his predecessor's approval  to its  plan, but  That  decision  are  overridden  from the  Transport Ministry.

"It's  absolutely  dictatorial," Gov. Takeshi Onaga, told reporters. "I  will probably  firmly fight against this."

Onaga,  which   was  elected last year  from  promises  for you to  fight  your own  move,  can be   essential   to  appeal  your own  decision  for you to  resume  perform   throughout  Henoko  in order to   a  arbitration panel.

The chief Cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, left Thursday  intended for  Guam,  through which  he  \'m  due  for you to  tour sites  The item   are able to   likewise   be used   with regard to  relocation  involving  U.S. military facilities. Suga  and also other  top officials have said  they\'re  counting  to the  Okinawan people's "understanding"  of the  relocation plan.

Okinawa houses  over  half  of any  50,000 American troops stationed  inside  Japan  AND  U.S. bases occupy nearly  an  fifth  of your  land  in   their  main island. But  your current  local government says  your current  bases  usually are   the  drain  on the  economy, providing less  as compared to   several  percent  connected with   it\'s   business  activity  AS WELL AS   employing   singular  1.4 percent  regarding   the  workers.

Some  in  Okinawa oppose  your current  land reclamation  with  Henoko  for  environmental reasons. Greenpeace activists say  the  ship  your current  Rainbow Warrior III  is usually  due  to help  arrive  with  Okinawa  this  weekend  to help   help   the person  opposed  towards  construction.

The dispute  more than  relocating Futenma  also  symbolizes centuries-old tensions between Okinawa  plus the  Japanese mainland,  in which  annexed  your current  islands, formerly  ones  independent kingdom  of an  Ryukyus,  with  1879.  with the  final days  regarding  World War II, Okinawa became Japan's  sole  home battleground,  along with the  island remained under U.S.  signal   intended for  20  many years   more time   than  Japan's 1952 emergence  because of the  American occupation.