Japan gov't's efforts further needed as Okinawa still split over US base
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A ruling bloc-backed newcomer may have beaten the incumbent opposed to a longstanding U.S. military base relocation plan in Sunday's
The incumbent governor of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki, opposed the relocation of a US military base from Ginowan to Henoko, a coastal area in Nago, during Sunday's gubernatorial election. The new candidate, Genta Koja, backed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, won the election, but scholars and experts warn that this victory does not signify widespread acceptance of the relocation plan.
Fumiaki Nozoe, a professor at Okinawa International University, noted that younger Okinawans perceive military bases as necessary due to the current global security climate, while others express strong opposition due to historical, safety, and environmental concerns. A recent Kyodo News phone survey showed 48% support and 46% opposition to the relocation.
The relocation plan is based on a 1996 agreement to alleviate dangers from the Futenma base to nearby communities. Despite the court battles and piling work for soft-soil reinforcement, the earliest completion is expected in the mid-2030s. Experts caution that the new governor must navigate Okinawa's deeply divided public opinion and maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance, addressing residents' concerns and reducing the burden of the U.S. military presence.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
