US Futenma Base Relocation Agreement Nears 30 Years; Japan Continues to Promote Relocation
The agreement to relocate the US Futenma Air Station is approaching its 30th anniversary. The Japanese government is pushing forward with the relocation to Henoko as the sole solution, despite concerns from Okinawa's governor about construction delays due to soft ground and calls for the base to be moved outside the prefecture. Ginowan City's mayor also expressed regret over the delay and demanded an early return.
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- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 17:00
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Due to noise and air pollution caused by US military aircraft training, and repeated accidents threatening the safety of local residents, the Special Action Committee on Okinawa, formed by the US and Japanese governments in 1996, recommended relocating Futenma Base to the coastal area of Henoko, Nago City, northern Okinawa. This was agreed upon by both the US and Japan on April 12 of that year.
According to NHK and Nikkei reports, Kihara stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting today, "We take seriously the fact that the return has not yet been realized."
He continued, "The Japanese government will steadily promote the relocation project based on the policy that relocation to the Henoko area is the only solution. We believe these measures will help achieve the full return of Futenma Air Station as soon as possible and eliminate the associated dangers of the base."
Kihara said, "To achieve the full return as soon as possible and reduce the burden of the base, we will continue to do our utmost to respond."
The Japanese central government is currently carrying out construction to relocate Futenma Base to the Henoko area in Nago City. The project is expected to be completed around 2033 at the earliest, but the relocation procedures, including those with the US military, may not be formally completed until after 2036.
Okinawa Governor Tamaki commented at a regular press conference today, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the relocation agreement. He also mentioned concerns about construction delays due to the soft ground in the Henoko area and reiterated the prefectural government's stance of demanding the base be moved outside the prefecture.
He emphasized, "We will demand that the Japanese government, including the prompt cessation of operations, eliminate the dangers as soon as possible, relocate the base outside the prefecture or country, and achieve early closure and return. We will absolutely not allow the base to become permanent."
Futenma Base is currently located in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture. Ginowan City Mayor Atsushi Sakima also stated at a press conference today, "It is extremely regrettable that the return has not yet been realized. The patience of the citizens has reached its limit," and again demanded that the government set an early deadline for the return. (Compiler: Yang Wei-ching) 1150410
According to NHK and Nikkei reports, Kihara stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting today, "We take seriously the fact that the return has not yet been realized."
He continued, "The Japanese government will steadily promote the relocation project based on the policy that relocation to the Henoko area is the only solution. We believe these measures will help achieve the full return of Futenma Air Station as soon as possible and eliminate the associated dangers of the base."
Kihara said, "To achieve the full return as soon as possible and reduce the burden of the base, we will continue to do our utmost to respond."
The Japanese central government is currently carrying out construction to relocate Futenma Base to the Henoko area in Nago City. The project is expected to be completed around 2033 at the earliest, but the relocation procedures, including those with the US military, may not be formally completed until after 2036.
Okinawa Governor Tamaki commented at a regular press conference today, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the relocation agreement. He also mentioned concerns about construction delays due to the soft ground in the Henoko area and reiterated the prefectural government's stance of demanding the base be moved outside the prefecture.
He emphasized, "We will demand that the Japanese government, including the prompt cessation of operations, eliminate the dangers as soon as possible, relocate the base outside the prefecture or country, and achieve early closure and return. We will absolutely not allow the base to become permanent."
Futenma Base is currently located in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture. Ginowan City Mayor Atsushi Sakima also stated at a press conference today, "It is extremely regrettable that the return has not yet been realized. The patience of the citizens has reached its limit," and again demanded that the government set an early deadline for the return. (Compiler: Yang Wei-ching) 1150410