Thousands of protesters surrounded the Diet on Sunday to oppose the long-fought plan in Okinawa to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma as simultaneous rallies took place nationwide to mobilize thousands against the unpopular project.

Organizers said about 28,000 people ringed the Diet building, chanting "Never allow the construction of a new base" and "Protect Henoko," the district further north in Okinawa where the replacement base is being built.

Opposition rallies were held simultaneously in the cities of Toyama, Okayama, Sapporo, Nagoya and Osaka.