In an apparent sign of displeasure with Okinawa's new governor, on Wednesday the central government cut the subsidies the prefecture will receive next fiscal year by 4.6 percent.

The outlay of ¥333.9 billion in 2015 is billed as aiding economic development in the prefecture, which has a heavy U.S. military presence. It is the first such reduction in five years.

Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga was elected last year partly on a ticket opposing a plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to another site within the prefecture.