Japan Court Orders Okinawa to Approve of Runway Plan for US Marine Corps

On Wednesday, the Fukuoka High Court Naha branch ordered Okinawa to approve the central government’s construction plan for a key US base.

The Marine Corps Air Station Futenma base, which is located in the densely populated city of Ginowan, is to be moved to the Henoko district in Nago—an offshore location. However, the seabed at this site is too soft for reconstructing the base.

The central government then applied for permission from Okinawa to reinforce the land. Okinawa rejected the request and suspended the landfill work. The plan could potentially damage the environment, and is estimated to cost 930 billion yen ($6.5 billion), and will take 12 years to finish.
Opposition and protests from residents have also slowed the process.