Governor Tamaki once again asks Defense Minister Iwaya to abandon Henoko relocation, but remains at an impasse with Japan unyielding

Governor Tamaki once again asks Defense Minister Iwaya to abandon Henoko relocation, but remains at an impasse with Japan unyielding

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki handing Japanese Defense Minister a written request concerning the U.S. base issue in Okinawa. September 5, 4:00 p.m. at the Okinawa Prefectural Offices


September 5, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki met with Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the Okinawa Prefectural Office September 5 to once again demand that the Japanese government abandon the plans to relocate MCAS Futenma to Henoko, as well as to immediately cease operations at the airbase.

The governor raised as an example the soft ground in the ocean area being filled at the relocation site extending construction time, claiming, “I want construction to stop and for [the Japanese government] to engage Okinawa in discussions to plan a solution.

Unrelated to the Henoko relocation, I want to remove the danger of MCAS Futenma without delaying another day.”

In response, Defense Minister Iwaya stressed, “I have confirmed that we are inspecting the [relocation] site, and while taking into consideration the natural environment, progressing construction safely.

Certainly, we want to continue these operations so that we can return MCAS Futenma.

” Regarding the soft ground, he announced his idea of moving forward while obtaining assistance from meeting with experts.

The two repeatedly shared their thoughts with one another, but ended their meeting without the moving any closer to an agreement.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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