Photo/Illutration Construction work continues in the Henoko area of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, for the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

How long does the government intend to continue with the process of ignoring opposing views and accumulating fait accompli?

The Defense Ministry began land reclamation of Oura Bay in the northern side of the Henoko area of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, where base construction is proceeding for the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

It was the first dumping of dirt and sand into an area where work was made possible with the 2023 measure making the central government the proxy of the Okinawa prefectural government.

The latest move was another example of the central government continuing with the project despite intense Okinawa opposition.

Although the government has repeatedly said the relocation is progressing smoothly, that does not appear to be the case.

The dumping of soil came in an area close to land where work to strengthen the foundation was unnecessary.

Separately, the unprecedented and difficult task of driving about 70,000 piles to a maximum depth of about 70 meters to solidify the soft seabed of Oura Bay is also under way.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau began pile-driving work in January, but has suspended the work from July. As of the end of November, about 2,900 piles have been installed, or less than 5 percent of the total.

At that pace, the pile driving will not be completed in even two decades and there is no clear prospect for the future.

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has called on the central government to abandon its plan and respond to a plea for dialogue on the grounds that it had become clear that completing the entire project had become very difficult.

The government should perhaps consider informing the prefectural government about its detailed work plan and discussing the matter without ruling out other options.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration is eager to strengthen the defense capability of the Nansei region, including Okinawa.

Defense of the Nansei chain of islands will likely become a key agenda item in discussions for reviewing three documents related to national security policy.

Tensions have risen in the region and greater concerns are felt about the possibility that Okinawa will once again become a battlefield.

It is the government that stubbornly distances itself from the governor who opposes the Henoko relocation project and widens the gap with Okinawa.

In a recent visit to Okinawa, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara met with Tamaki, but he adhered to the established course regarding the relocation.

The situation of concentrating 70 percent of U.S. military facilities in Japan in Okinawa, which does not account for even 1 percent of Japan’s total land area, cannot be left as is.

If Okinawa is considered to be an important area from a national security standpoint, the priority should be on persistent negotiations with the United States to find a path for reducing the unbalanced base burden and having Takaichi take the initiative to improve relations with Okinawa.

It will be close to a year since the Defense Ministry began ground improvement work at Oura Bay.

Less than 20 percent of the needed landfill volume has been dumped into the bay so there is still time to stop the project and calmly assess the current situation.

With the projected completion of the relocation not until at least the mid-2030s, an early resolution of the dangers associated with Futenma is not possible.

Government expenditures for the project will likely increase. 

For many reasons, the Henoko relocation is unreasonable including the technological difficulties, the environmental burden and, above all, the deep opposition from Okinawa.

The issue cannot be resolved without squarely facing the voices of the local residents.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 14

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