Japan overrides protests, resumes work on USA base transfer

Landfill work for the relocation of a US military facility in Okinawa resumed Thursday amid protests after the land ministry overruled the southern island prefecture’s attempt to stop the central government from implementing the controversial plan.

The central government, under a plan agreed with the United States 19 years ago, is trying to relocate the Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from a densely populated area in Ginowan City to Henoko.

Earlier this month, outspoken Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga revoked approval for work on the base in Japan’s southernmost island chain, which Tokyo later reversed. Ishii announced his decision on Tuesday to invalidate Onaga’s revocation.

The Okinawa prefectural government, which opposes the Futenma base relocation plan, refused to accept the notice and asked the bureau to hold prior consultations before starting the landfill work.

Angry protesters gathered outside the construction site on Henoko Bay as workers arrived with earth-moving equipment, several of the demonstrators sitting in the road and blocking the entrance.

“We won’t let the work begin”, shouted protesters, a few of whom sat in front of vehicles to block them, while others lay down in the street.

The government in Toyko says it plans to stick to the agreement.

The government has also made a decision to begin procedures to prepare for a possible legal tussle over the issue if Onaga does not change his stance.

The Okinawa Prefectural Government, meanwhile, plans to file a complaint against the land minister’s suspension with a third-party panel that handles disputes between the central and local governments on legal interpretations and other issues.

The Okinawa government is considering taking the issue to court if the panel rejects its case.

TOKYO (AP) – Japan resumed construction work needed to relocate a US air base from one area of Okinawa’s main island to another on Thursday, overriding vigorous protests by local residents.

They want to block access for trucks and bulldozers to the planned Futenma air base.