Japan Press Weekly

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2017 August 9 - 15 [POLITICS]

New DM hints at continuing use of Futenma base even after completion of Henoko base

Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori in a meeting with Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi in Okinawa on August 14 did not deny the possibility that the U.S. Futenma base will be used even after the supposed alternative facility is constructed in Nago’s Henoko district.

This is the first meeting held by Onodera since he assumed the post of Defense Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

Governor Onaga urged Onodera to give up moving forward with the Henoko base construction, withdraw Ospreys from Okinawa, and realize an early return of the Futenma base site.

Citing the central government explanation that the construction of the new base in Henoko is a condition for the return of the Futenma base, Onaga pointed to former Defense Minister Inada Tomomi’s remarks in June in the Diet which implied the possibility that the Futenma base may not be returned after the completion of the new U.S. base in Henoko.

Onodera claimed that the Futenma base site will be given back to Okinawa in exchange for the new base construction. He, however, said that the government has yet to discuss last-minute details with the U.S. government regarding the eight conditions for the Futenma base return, including the construction of a new base in Henoko, which were agreed upon by the two governments in April 2013.

Past related article:
> DM Inada hints at impossibility of return of Futenma base even after completion of new base in Henoko [ July 6, 2017]