Okinawa assembly rejects Japan-U.S. plan to relocate Futemma

NAHA, Japan, July 19 Kyodo - The Okinawa prefectural assembly adopted a nonbinding resolution Friday against a Japan-U.S. plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station within
Okinawa, with the backing of the opposition camp that controls the chamber.

Although nonbinding, the resolution is widely expected to affect negotiations between the central and Okinawa governments on the contentious relocation plan, which Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima approved with certain conditions.

The resolution and attached policy recommendations say the relocation of the
Futemma station in Ginowan to Camp Schwab at Cape Henoko in Nago ''will impose
and fix an excessive burden on'' the local communities.

The assembly ''strongly urges (the central government) to give up construction
(of the base) immediately,'' they noted.

Nakaima downplayed the resolution, saying at a press conference in Tokyo,
''It's very regrettable that I cannot win understanding by local legislators
yet. But I will explain to them more earnestly so my policy will be
implemented.''
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said the relocation plan is part of
a package designed to ''reduce the burden on Okinawa residents as much as
possible.''
''We expect local assembly members to understand the point,'' the top
government spokesman said at a news conference when asked about the resolution.
In an Okinawa prefectural assembly election in June, the ruling camp led by
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Liberal Democratic Party failed to maintain a
majority. The coalition supports Nakaima.
==Kyodo