The newly re-elected mayor of the Okinawan town hosting U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma has called on the prefectural governor to reopen negotiations on closing the controversial base within five years.
The request follows reports that a judge in a lawsuit between Okinawa Prefecture and the central government over constructing a replacement facility for Futenma in the Henoko district of Nago is urging both parties to agree to one of two possible settlements.
Ginowan Mayor Atsushi Sakima, who has the support of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet and who takes no public position on the relocation of Futenma within Okinawa Prefecture, met Tuesday with Gov. Takeshi Onaga, who backed his opponent and is trying to stop the Henoko project.