Court rules against Okinawa’s move to block US base relocation

Reading Time:2 minutes

US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan in Japan’s southernmost island prefecture of Okinawa. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 2:19pm, 16 Sep 2016Updated: 2:22pm, 16 Sep 2016

A Japanese court on Friday ruled against Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga’s move to block the relocation of a key US air base within the island prefecture, making the first judicial judgment on the high-profile dispute between Tokyo and Okinawa that is certain to be appealed by the prefectural government.

The Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court determined that it was “illegal” for Onaga last October to revoke his predecessor’s approval for landfill work required for the controversial plan to move the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded residential area to the less populated Henoko coastal area of Nago.

In the lawsuit filed in July, the central government, which is aiming to push ahead with the land reclamation project, sought recognition that the governor acted illegally by not complying with an order to retract his revocation.

Okinawans protesting the presence of the US military on the island. Photo: Xinhua

With neither the central government nor the Okinawan government showing signs of compromise, the case is certain to go to the Supreme Court. The top court may issue its final word on the case within the current fiscal year ending March.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x