The decision Friday by Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima to allow the start of offshore fill work needed to build a replacement facility for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma ends a 17-year standoff that pitted entrenched base opponents against Tokyo and Washington.
But while the governor's decision is a major step toward realizing the building of the Futenma replacement base on the Henoko coast in the city of Nago, the date for completion depends on a variety of factors, ranging from continued political opposition in Okinawa to whether the U.S. Congress will ensure the necessary funds for Guam to take in Okinawa-based U.S. Marines, mainly from the Futenma contingent.
The prefectural assembly was discussing Friday whether to formally condemn Nakaima. However, a three-fourth's majority is needed to pass such a resolution. That could be difficult as many members, especially from the Liberal Democratic Party, previously opposed the Nago base less out of a conviction that it was a bad idea and more as a bargaining chip for squeezing money out of the central government for funding public works projects.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.