Politics · Japan · 12 hrs ago
Okinawa governor backs moving Futenma base within the prefecture
Okinawa Gov.
Genta Koja backs relocating the Futenma air station from Ginowan to Henoko, both in Okinawa Prefecture.
He said the move is the quickest way to reduce dangers from the current base, which operates in a densely populated city and raises concerns about aircraft accidents and noise.
The plan follows a 1996 Japan-U.S.
agreement, and Koja said there is no concrete alternative at present.
He would have preferred the base to move outside Okinawa or Japan, but he is the first Okinawa governor in 12 years to support the Henoko plan.
Koja also urged Japan's central government to set a clear timetable for returning U.S.-occupied land, including land south of Kadena Air Base.
Okinawa has hosted the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan since it returned to Japanese control in 1972.
Koja also opposes unconditional expansion of Self-Defense Forces deployments and called for changes to the Japan-U.S.
Status of Forces Agreement; he wants detailed explanations from the central government and changes to how criminal cases and investigations on U.S. bases are handled.
Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja supports moving the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago, saying it is the quickest way to remove risks from the existing base.
Koja said he would prefer the base to move outside Okinawa or overseas, but there is currently no concrete alternative to the plan.
He urged Japan’s central government to set a clear timetable for returning land occupied by U.S. military facilities.
Futenma’s continued operation in densely populated Ginowan has raised concerns about aircraft accidents and noise.
Koja also called for changes to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, including allowing Okinawa to investigate inside U.S. bases.
- Who
- Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja. He is the first Okinawa governor in 12 years to support the relocation plan.
- What
- He supports moving Futenma from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago as the quickest way to remove risks from the existing facility.
- When
- Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
- Where
- Okinawa Prefecture, Japan; the proposed destination is the coastal Henoko area in Nago.
- Why
- Koja said the move is the quickest way to eliminate dangers posed by Futenma, and that there is no concrete alternative.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Japan-U.S. agreement that underpins the Futenma relocation plan was reached.
Koja won the Okinawa gubernatorial election.
Koja said he supports relocating Futenma within Okinawa and called for a timetable for returning U.S.-occupied land.
- Governor
- Genta Koja
- Existing base
- U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Ginowan
- Proposed site
- Henoko coastal area, Nago
- Relocation agreement
- Japan-U.S. agreement from 1996
- Election
- Sept. 13 gubernatorial election
What people are saying
I believe the most important priority in reducing the excessive burden of U.S. military facilities is to ensure the return of (land occupied) south of Kadena Air Base, as already agreed upon by Japan and the United States
I intend to firmly press the government to explain what constitutes the minimum level of defensive capability necessary to maintain peace, and why particular military functions and facilities are required