The government is closely watching Okinawa's efforts to select a new site for the U.S. Marine Corps heliport now at Futenma Air Station, with hope of seeing early progress in completing the process long-stalled by local opposition, Japan's new ambassador to the Unites States said.
While expressing his earnest hope that the heliport issue — a sensitive spot in bilateral security ties — can be resolved, Shunji Yanai, 62, a former vice foreign minister, said in an interview with The Japan Times that the government should first respect Okinawa Prefecture's initiative in choosing a site.
"It is unproductive for the central government to direct discussions when Okinawa is in the middle of the selection process," Yanai said, touching on recent reports that the prefecture may propose the Henoko district in Nago as the site for the relocated heliport.