Work starts at US base relocation site in Okinawa

The Japanese government has started work to reinforce the ground at a planned relocation site for a US military base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan.

The government plans to reclaim land off Henoko in Nago City to transfer the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. The station is currently located in the densely populated city of Ginowan, also in the prefecture, NHK World Japan reports.

The Okinawa prefectural government has opposed the relocation plan and refused to approve the necessary work to reinforce the soft seabed at Oura Bay.

Construction crews began work after the central government won a court ruling last month that allowed the land ministry to override the prefecture's objections.

A work vessel loaded with stones and power shovels were observed on Wednesday morning at the planned site of an offshore construction yard. Two shovels began dumping stones into the water shortly past noon.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said he was briefed by the Defense Ministry that the work had started. He added that Wednesday marks the beginning of the project, which is expected to be finished in nine years and three months.

He said he expects talks between the central and Okinawa governments over the construction project will continue to be held appropriately, but the work started on Wednesday is outside the consultations.

Asked about whether the project is necessary amid the opposition from the prefecture, Hayashi said the government believes that relocating the US base to Henoko is the only solution to allow the return of the Futenma base and avoid possible danger in the neighborhood.

He also said the government will continue to provide detailed briefings to local residents and make the utmost efforts to reduce the prefecture's burden of hosting US bases.

Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny told reporters on Wednesday that this is something the government is doing for its own convenience, and it is extremely regrettable.