The city of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture is likely to choose a reef off the island as the site for a military-civilian airport that will accommodate the heliport functions of the U.S. Futenma Air Station in the prefecture, the city mayor said Tuesday.

Tateo Kishimoto expressed the opinion for the first time to reporters after he met with Koji Omi, minister in charge of Okinawa issues, to discuss the heliport issue at the Cabinet Office in Tokyo.

"The city of Nago would like to consider the plan to build the airport on the reef in accordance with the request by locals," he said.