New Okinawa governor rejects unconditional defense buildup

Naha – New Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja urged the government on Wednesday to give sufficient explanation about its defense buildup in the country’s southwest.

“I will not unconditionally accept” the defense buildup in the region, Koja said in an inaugural news conference at his office in Naha.

He called on the central government to explain to local residents the significance of the defense buildup, gain the residents’ understanding, strike a balance with efforts to reduce the burden of hosting military bases and avoid disrupting civilian use of airports and ports.

Koja reiterated that he agrees on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture in order to remove the dangers posed by the base as early as possible.

He won the election on Sept. 13, becoming the first Okinawa governor in 12 years who does not oppose the Futenma base relocation from Ginowan to the Henoko district in Nago.

The governor voiced dissatisfaction with the U.S. military’s plan to store the Typhon intermediate-range missile system at its Kadena Air Base in the prefecture, saying, “the plan has not been adequately explained.”

Koja said he aims to resume Okinawa policy talks with the central government this year, a meeting last held in 2013.