TOKYO – The governor of Okinawa has signed off on the long-awaited relocation of a U.S. military base, a major step toward allowing the U.S. to move forward with plans to consolidate its troops on the southern Japanese islands and move some to Guam.
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Japanese media reported Friday that Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima approved the Japanese government’s application to reclaim land for a new base on Okinawa’s coast. The base would replace the U.S. Marine Corps base in Futenma, a more congested part of Okinawa’s main island.
Nakaima’s decision could still face court challenges and protests. Opponents want the base moved off Okinawa completely.
The U.S. has had a major military presence in Okinawa dating from the end of World War II.
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