Tomomi Inada is set to make her first visit to Okinawa as defense minister on Saturday amid escalating tensions between Tokyo and Naha over the contentious issue of U.S. military bases on the island.
During her two-day visit, Inada is scheduled to meet with Gov. Takeshi Onaga as she tries to reach an understanding over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Nago, in northern Okinawa.
Her trip comes less than a week before the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court is slated to issue a ruling on Sept. 16 on the ongoing legal battle between Tokyo and the Okinawa Prefectural Government over the issue.