Social Democratic Party President Mizuho Fukushima was handed a fourth term Friday without a vote, a day after indicating she would pull her party out of the ruling coalition if the Futenma base is relocated in Okinawa as per a 2006 accord with the United States.
Fukushima, 53, who is also the consumer affairs minister, was quick to challenge the government regarding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Cape Henoko.
"We will make every effort" to alleviate the burden on Okinawans, she told reporters after securing the SDP's to position until 2012.
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