During the Lower House Budget Committee's session Jan. 12, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated, as if to cut off Okinawa's wishes across the board, that security-related matters should be decided on by the state, not by a locality based on the outcome of an election.
This shows he is intent on carrying out the Henoko relocation plan no matter what Okinawa may say.
National security may certainly be a matter that falls within the state's exclusive jurisdiction, as Abe says. Even so, the question remains: How is the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko relevant to the defense and security of Japan? Without giving a clear explanation to this question, Abe cannot say security matters fall within the state's exclusive jurisdiction.
Otherwise, he's merely staging a monkey show and befuddling the nation by intentionally mixing the Henoko relocation plan with security.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.