Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Okinawa referendum rejects U.S. base plan
TOKYO — The residents of Japan’s southwestern island region of Okinawa have rejected a relocation plan for a U.S. military base, increasing pressure on the national government to change its stance that the facility will be built no matter what.
The results of Sunday’s referendum showed 72 percent opposed the plan for the Marine air base being built on a landfill in coastal Henoko. Voter support for the relocation plan totaled 19 percent.
The referendum is not legally binding but underlines Okinawans’ sentiment on the relocation plan.
Henoko is to replace another base on the island in Futenma that is in a more residential area and has long been criticized as noisy and dangerous. The U.S. military has said the Henoko agreement is needed for regional security.
Critics of Henoko say sea life such as the manatee-relative dugong and coral reefs will be hurt. Many people in Okinawa want Futenma closed but think the rest of Japan should help by sharing in the burden of hosting U.S. troops.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, who spearheaded the referendum, said the results must be respected.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters early Monday that the government accepted the feelings of Okinawa’s people but stressed that the Henoko plan won’t be changed. Nevertheless, the referendum will add momentum to Tamaki’s efforts against the U.S. bases.
Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga reiterated Abe’s view, telling reporters that Futenma remains dangerous and the relocation is needed to close Futenma.